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Ukraine Just Got Its Deadliest Weapon—Is This the Most Dangerous Move Yet?

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Ukraine\'s U.S.-supplied long-range tactical ballistic missile, ATACMS / Lockheed Martin
Ukraine’s U.S.-supplied long-range tactical ballistic missile, ATACMS / Lockheed Martin

Ukraine has escalated military tensions by launching U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) at mainland Russia. The long-range tactical ballistic missiles have sparked international interest in their capabilities.

ATACMS is a weapon capable of effectively striking strategic locations and military facilities, such as Crimea. Recently, it was used in the first attack on Russian territory. With a range of 300 kilometers, ATACMS allows the Ukrainian military to precisely target a much broader array of objectives than their previously used weaponry. Reports indicate that this attack inflicted significant damage on Russian military bases and air defense systems.

Manufactured by the American defense contractor Lockheed Martin, ATACMS utilizes a solid rocket propellant to engage targets swiftly and boasts high accuracy through GPS guidance. It can be equipped with either cluster or unitary warheads, making it adaptable to various operational scenarios. Each unit costs approximately $1.5 million. The version used by Ukraine in this instance was equipped with a cluster warhead, known for its effectiveness in neutralizing air defense networks.

Ukraine employed HIMARS and M270 MLRS to launch ATACMS, targeting Russian air bases and supply lines. Crimean military installations were primary targets. The strikes appear to have forced Russia to relocate military assets from Crimea, altering its defensive posture. This operation likely aims to neutralize Russian air power and air defenses, giving Ukraine a strategic edge.

The U.S. decision to provide ATACMS marks a crucial turning point in the Ukraine conflict. By lifting restrictions on their use against Russian territory, Washington aims to degrade Moscow’s military capabilities.

This move has sparked debate in the U.S. Some experts argue that publicly announcing the weapons transfer was a strategic misstep, potentially allowing Russia to anticipate Ukrainian attack plans.

The U.S. government maintains that this support is a defensive response to Russian aggression and signals continued backing for Ukraine. According to Washington Post sources, President Biden’s decision was partly motivated by reports of North Korean troop deployments in Russia’s Kursk region.

The provision of ATACMS offers the Ukrainian military new strategic options and enhances its ability to challenge Russia’s military dominance. Experts assess that ATACMS can effectively destroy time-sensitive targets such as Russian air defense systems, mobile launchers, and logistics bases with its high-speed and precision strike capabilities. Ukraine’s use of ATACMS may suppress Russian military activities in Crimea and potentially alter the course of the conflict in the long term.

Ukraine’s U.S.-supplied long-range tactical ballistic missile, ATACMS / Lockheed Martin
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