It becomes known where Ukraine may use ATACMS
20 October, 2023 M142 HIMARS and ATACMS missiles. Photo credits: Mariusz Burcz The U.S.
Department of Defense has announced where Ukraine may use U.S. ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles. Pentagon Press Secretary Brigadier General Patrick Ryder made the clarification during a briefing.
According to him, these weapons should be used exclusively within the territory of Ukraine. The Pentagon also refused to name the exact number of ATACMS missiles that were transferred to Ukraine as part of military aid.
Pentagon Press Secretary Brigadier General Patrick Ryder
"I can't get into the specifics, in terms of the number of ATACMS that we've provided, but just like all of the other systems and -- and equipment that we've provided to Ukraine, it is with the assurances that this will be used within sovereign Ukraine to take back and defend sovereign Ukrainian territory," Ryder said.
As previously reported, on October 17, the airfields in the temporarily occupied Berdiansk and Luhansk were struck by M39 ATACMS ballistic missiles with cluster warheads.
Remnants of bomblets.
The use of U.S. missiles was also confirmed by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. "Today, I am especially grateful to the United States.
Our agreements with President Biden are being implemented. They are being implemented very accurately - the ATACMS have proven themselves. Glory to Ukraine," Zelensky said.
Satellite image of Berdiansk airfield, October 18, 2023.
Photo credits: Planet Labs/Schemes
Russian propagandists claim painful losses among army aviation pilots after a strike on an airfield in the occupied Berdiansk.
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-- ?????????? (@mil_in_ua) October 18, 2023
The Washington Post sources said that "a small number of missiles were secretly sent to Ukraine in recent days to strengthen Kyiv's ability to launch long-range strikes against Russian forces during an important stage of the counteroffensive."
ATACMS: the new "long arm" of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
According to the WP, Ukraine has been "looking for a long time" for a surface-to-surface missile that could hit Russian army positions far beyond the front line.
The range of ATACMS missiles, which have entered service with Ukraine
The ATACMS missiles with cluster warheads received by Ukraine have a range of up to 165 kilometers.
On October 19, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that the United States would supply Ukraine with ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles on a regular basis.