According to a military expert, the provision of ballistic missiles is a “big breakthrough.”
Long-range ATACMS ballistic missiles provided by the US to Ukraine could make Crimea “militarily insignificant” to Russia. Business Insider writes about this with reference to military analyst Philip Karber.
The media recalls that the United States secretly sent about 100 army tactical missile systems, known as ATACMS, to Ukraine, which was already using them. Previously, the US sent shorter-range ATACMS, which helped Ukraine in its fight last fall.
But the versions sent recently can travel about 290 miles, putting more valuable targets in Ukraine’s sights. That includes Crimea, which Russia occupied in 2014 and is critical to its military strategy in Ukraine.
Karber, who has experience in Ukraine, said the provision of ATACMS is a “big breakthrough.”
“This weapon can essentially make Crimea insignificant militarily,” the expert emphasized.
The media notes that Ukraine has previously launched many attacks on Crimea – significantly weakening the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the port of Sevastopol and periodically striking the strategic Kerch Bridge, which connects the peninsula with Russia.
“They were carried out by a variety of weapons, including air and sea drones, and likely Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles supplied by the UK and France. But ATACMS has a key advantage over Storm Shadows, Radio Free Europe reports, in that they fly much faster “, the material says.
Transfer of ATACMS to Ukraine – latest news
The United States will provide Ukraine with as many opportunities as they can. Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said this when commenting on the transfer of ATACMS to Ukraine.
According to him, ATACMS long-range missile systems have already been sent to Ukraine.
UNIAN also reported that the United States secretly sent Ukraine more than 100 long-range ATACMS. According to The New York Times, Ukraine has already fired these missiles at Russian targets in Crimea.
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