WSJ: Ukraine Strike At Russian Positions With ATACMS Missiles For The First Time
11- 17.10.2023, 18:41
- 20,662
The Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked two Russian air bases.
Ukraine for the first time used American long-range ATACMS missiles against the positions of Russian troops. This was reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the situation. Several ATACMS missiles were secretly delivered to Ukraine some time ago, the newspaper’s interlocutors claim. This significantly expands the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ ability to launch long-range strikes against Russian positions during a counteroffensive, they added.
Information about the supply of ATACMS missiles is also confirmed by sources of the New York Times. The Ukrainian Armed Forces launched strikes on two air bases in territory controlled by Russian troops on Tuesday, using US long-range missiles that Kyiv had previously requested from the United States. Two American officials told the newspaper about this.
US President Joe Biden has long delayed a decision on the supply of ATACMS systems due to fears that this could lead to an escalation of the conflict with Russia. However, in September, he informed Ukrainian President Zelensky of his agreement to provide them, but with the condition that the Ukrainian Armed Forces would receive missiles with a limited range. The version of ATACMS missiles sent to Ukraine is equipped with cluster warheads.
On the night of October 17, the Ukrainian military attacked airfields in Luhansk and Berdyansk, which were under the control of Russian troops. The strikes were carried out both on helicopters and on equipment located at airfields, according to the Department of Strategic Communications of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russian military bloggers also report explosions at the Berdyansk airfield, calling them one of the most serious attacks of the entire conflict. They note that at least 40 missiles were used in the attack, which could have been ATACMS. Washington has not yet commented on the transfer of these missiles.
