NYT: Ukraine may use ATACMS to hit Russian targets in Crimea
Kyiv • UNN
Ukraine received long-range ATACMS missiles from the United States to increase pressure on Russian forces in occupied Crimea and eastern Ukraine.
The US Department of Defense has explained the purpose of the long-range ATACMS missiles provided to Ukraine. The purpose of the recent delivery of ATACMS, a coveted long-range missile system, is to increase pressure on Russian forces in the eastern parts of occupied Ukraine. This was reported by senior Pentagon officials to The New York Times, UNN reports.
Details
A Pentagon spokesman said at a briefing that the new long-range systems are aimed at "putting more pressure on Crimea," the newspaper reports.
According to The New York Times, Ukraine has received a version of ATACMS with a strike range of up to 300 kilometers. According to US national security officials, a significant portion of the weapons provided should primarily be used to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities. Pentagon officials refused to disclose the number of missiles transferred.
U.S. national security officials have said that much of the long-delayed arms shipments should first focus on strengthening Ukraine's defense. The new system could penetrate deeper into Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine and target Russian supply hubs in the southeast.
The purpose of the new long-range systems is to increase pressure on Crimea, the center of Russian air and ground forces, "where Russia now has a relatively safe haven," a senior defense official told reporters during a Pentagon briefing.
Context
Pentagon officials refused to name the exact number of long-range systems that were sent to Ukraine.
"One of the things we've been able to see is that when Ukraine gets supplies, they can be effective," said General Charles C. Brown Jr.
