CNN: US does not intend to supply Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles yet
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Washington is currently not ready to transfer ATACMS long-range ballistic missiles to Kyiv, informed CNN, citing sources.
“The United States, at least for the moment, is not ready to provide the army’s long-range tactical missile systems, also known as ATACMS, to the Ukrainian forces, which they have been requesting for several months,” the channel claims.
ATACMS is a tactical ballistic missile of the American company Lockheed Martin, which can be launched at a distance of up to 300 km from multiple launch rocket systems, including the M142 HIMARS. Ukrainian troops use this system against the Russian armed forces.
Washington believes that the weapons currently being supplied are sufficient, CNN notes, and the supply of these missiles to the Armed Forces of Ukraine could lead to an escalation of the conflict. The missiles currently being delivered to Ukraine for HIMARS have a maximum range of almost 79 km.
The fact that the United States will not transfer long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine was announced at the end of July by US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan at the Aspen Institute forum. He added that the United States will not allow the development of hostilities that could lead to the Third World War.
Ukraine, however, again intends to request these missiles, The Wall Street Journal found out earlier. Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov then said that the supply of such weapons capable of hitting Russian cities would mean “direct involvement of the United States in a military confrontation with Russia.”
Today, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that if the United States decides to supply Ukraine with longer-range missiles, they will will pass red line and become a direct party to the conflict.
Last week, US President Joe Biden approved a new $675 million aid package for Ukraine that included HIMARS munitions, four 105mm howitzers, and 36,000 projectiles for it. In addition, the Pentagon provided Kyiv with HARM anti-radar missiles, 100 armored vehicles, more than 5,000 anti-tank systems, 1.5 million rounds for small arms, night vision systems, etc.
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