US inclined to supply Ukraine with ATACMS missiles – report
ATACMS rockets (Photo:andriy_ht/Twitter)
The United States is reportedly on the
verge of approving the transfer of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS),
a long-range missile system, to Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal reported on
June 29, citing several U.S. and EU officials.
Launched from M270 or HIMARS rocket artillery platforms – both are in service with the Ukrainian military – ATACMS missiles can strike targets 300 kilometers away, delivering up to 560 kilograms of explosive payload.
The sources said that the issue is currently being deliberated at the highest levels of government. It's been suggested that factions within the U.S. government, including those in the White House, who had previously expressed reluctance, are now recognizing the urgent need to bolster Ukraine's capabilities.
“Amid the domestic turmoil in Russia, where over the weekend the founder of the Wagner mercenary force staged an abortive mutiny, U.S. and European officials indicated that now might be the time to provide the more advanced weaponry,” the article reads.
A high-ranking official from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has also indicated that Kyiv has been receiving positive responses from Washington concerning the transfer of ATACMS systems in recent weeks. Ukraine has expressed its need for long-range missiles, especially to target Russian military bases in occupied Crimea.
Previously, the U.S. House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee backed a resolution urging President Joe Biden's administration to supply Ukraine with ATACMS missiles.
On June 16, a defense budget bill was presented to the U.S. Congress, which proposed the allocation of $80 million for the purchase and transfer of ATACMS missiles to Ukraine.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov previously stated that the United States is hesitant to transfer ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, out of concerns that Ukraine's Armed Forces might target Russian territory with the new weapons.
Will you support Ukraine’s free press?
Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations.
As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility – to amplify Ukraine’s voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation.
It’s the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine.
If you’re willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.
Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda.
Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd.
If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly.
There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting.
We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If you’re willing to stand up for the truth – consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much.
Will you help tell Ukraine’s story to the world?
Twenty years ago, most people hadn’t even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyone’s lips and everyone’s headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of – from music and culture to technology.
We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If you’re willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
