Ukraine Receives Long-Range Missile System to Target Russian Forces in Crimea
Ukraine received a longer-range missile system to target Russian forces in Crimea, aiming to pressure Russian-occupied areas and reinforce Ukraine's defenses.
Following the recent delivery of a highly sought-after long-range missile system, Ukrainian forces are now equipped to more efficiently target Russian forces in occupied Crimea, as confirmed by senior Pentagon officials on Thursday.
Enhanced Capability
Months of requests have culminated in Ukraine obtaining an extended-range variant of the Army Tactical Missile Systems, referred to as ATACMS, featuring a range of 190 miles. The United States had previously supplied Ukraine with a version of the system with a 100-mile range, armed with cluster munitions.
According to U.S. national security officials, the long-awaited weapon deliveries are primarily intended to bolster Ukraine’s defenses. The newly acquired system enables Ukrainian forces to target supply nodes for Russian forces in the southeast and reach deeper into Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine.
Increased Pressure on Crimea
A senior defense official emphasized that the objective of deploying these longer-range systems is to exert greater pressure on Crimea, a crucial location for Russian air and ground forces. The official highlighted that Russia has historically enjoyed a relatively secure position in the region but will now face heightened scrutiny.
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