Ukrainian forces for the first time used a longer-range version of weapons known as ATACMS, striking an airfield in Crimea and Russian troops in southeastern Ukraine.

The United States last week secretly shipped a new long-range missile system to Ukraine, and Ukrainian forces immediately used the weapons to attack a Russian military airfield in Crimea last Wednesday and Russian troops in the country’s southeast overnight on Tuesday, according to a senior U.S. official.

The United States previously supplied Ukraine with a version of the Army Tactical Missile Systems — known as ATACMS — armed with wide-spreading cluster munitions that can travel 100 miles.

But Ukraine has long coveted the system’s longer-range version, with a range of about 190 miles. That can reach deeper into occupied Ukraine, including Crimea, a hub of Russian air and ground forces, and supply nodes for Moscow’s forces in the country’s southeast.

Overnight Tuesday, Ukraine used the longer-range missiles to strike Russian troops in the port city of Berdiansk on the Sea of Azov, the senior U.S. official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss operational matters.

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  • NegativeInf@lemmy.worldEnglish
    13·
    6 months ago

    The US giving them the missiles or the fact that they can penetrate deeper into their invaded homeland? Because the active invasion they are fighting off sounds more like provocation than either.

    • Rapidcreek@lemmy.worldEnglish
      218·
      6 months ago

      But,those misses can also reach across Russian borders into Russian cities. Which is clearly the reason for concern.

      • RubberDuck@lemmy.worldEnglish
        81·
        6 months ago

        Using the long range NATO ordenance in Russia proper after agreeing to not do that is the quickest way to not getting any more.

        Ukraine is quickly developing their own capabilities to strike into Russia, as they can then use the NATO ordenance in ukraine.

        This worry is nonsense.

        • Rapidcreek@lemmy.worldEnglish
          213·
          6 months ago

          Here I was not worrying about it, but rather discussing the geopolitical ramifications. Silly me.

          • RubberDuck@lemmy.worldEnglish
            91·
            6 months ago

            What geopolitical ramifications? It is a hypothetical that has no foundation in reality. Ukranians will not use the NATO weapons in Russia proper due to self interest. Without western support they will lose to Russia so they will not jeopardize that help.

            This seems like concern trolling at best.

            • Rapidcreek@lemmy.worldEnglish
              18·
              6 months ago

              Ukranians will not use the NATO weapons in Russia proper due to self interest.

              So many things have happened in war, that one would think never would hapen.

              • RubberDuck@lemmy.worldEnglish
                3·
                6 months ago

                Yes you are right, completely excluding the possibility is not possible.

                But then, they are fighting an enemy that, loots, rapes and pillages the territory they occupy, tortures prisoners, summarily executes surrendering troops. Deliberately targets civilian infrastructure like schools, hospitals, powerplants and the like and recently started hitting civilian targets with double tap strikes in order to kill first responders.

                So I’ll just add you to my growing Blocklist and go about my day now. I suggest you reevaluate your life’s choices as you are advocating on the wrong side of history here.