President Vladimir Zelensky claims that the last phone conversation with his American counterpart Joe Biden led to agreements on the supply of long-range ATACMS missiles for Ukraine
Long-range ATACMS missiles may soon be headed for Ukraine. The need for their provision is given in the new bill on additional funds for military assistance to Ukraine, which was adopted by the US House of Representatives on April 20.
When to expect?
The House of Representatives has provided the possibility for the US President to reject the option to grant ATACMS if it threatens or conflicts with US national security interests. In this case, Biden must separately explain to Congress his refusal to provide missiles to Ukraine. In the past, the White House was afraid to approve the transfer of such missiles to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, citing the alleged risk of escalation in the confrontation with the Russian Federation.
The head of the US Senate Intelligence Committee, Mark Warner, has authorized the long-range ATACMS to be sent to Ukraine in the near future.
Commenting on the adoption by the House of Representatives of the bill on aid to Ukraine, the senator expressed hope that after the signature of President Joe Biden, weapons will be sent to Ukraine by the end of this week.
President Vladimir Zelensky claims that the last phone conversation with his American counterpart Joe Biden led to agreements on the supply of long-range ATACMS missiles for Ukraine.
“Four main priorities are the protection of the sky, modern artillery, long-term, and for the American support packages to arrive as quickly as possible and the result today is that all the dots have been put on the ATACMS agreements for in Ukraine,” He added.
Different models
ATACMS are American solid-propellant ballistic missiles developed at the end of the Cold War and with several modifications.
In the fall of 2023, Ukraine received a small number of shorter-range ATACMS missiles with a cluster warhead. Then we are talking about MGM-140A missiles (aka M39 or ATACMS Block I) with a maximum range of up to 165 km.
It is not yet known what type of ATACMS missiles Ukraine may receive at this time. The US has ATACMS missiles capable of hitting targets up to 300 km away.
All ATACMS are ballistic missiles that reach near hypersonic speeds. During the flight, these missiles reach a speed of Mach 3 (approximately 3675 km/h) and hit the target along a complex ballistic trajectory, while, for example, the Storm Shadow aircraft cruise missile is subsonic ( speed of Mach 0.8). Therefore, it is more difficult for Russian air defense systems to intercept ATACMS.
Should Crimea prepare?
Peter Dickinson, a researcher at the American analytical center Atlantic Council, believes that ATACMS missiles will allow Ukraine to reach targets in all regions of the country occupied by Russia. According to other analysts, ATACMS is especially effective against targets such as aircraft at airfields, air defense systems, oil refineries, and logistics centers with cargo vehicles.
According to analysts, Kiev’s receipt of a new batch of long-range missiles may force the Russian command to move bases and command posts from the front line, which, in turn, will weaken the defense of the occupied territories. that territory.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.