One of the main advisers of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, expressed optimism that Kyiv may soon add Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACM) to its arsenal, CNN reports.
American-made guided missiles have a range of up to 300 kilometers.
Andriy Yermak told reporters in Kyiv that, in his opinion, the Biden administration is “very close” to making a decision on approving the transfer of missiles to Ukraine, although he emphasized that the final decision has not yet been made.
From the first months of the war, Ukrainian leaders had ATACM at the top of their wish list. The missiles’ greater range would allow them to see more Russian targets, including some in occupied Crimea, as well as Russia itself, which worried the US.
Among the Russian targets that Ukraine wants to hit are mainly ammunition and fuel depots, as well as buildings where Russian soldiers are located far behind the front lines.
Ukraine has stepped up these strikes in recent months as part of what it describes as a buildup of operations designed to disrupt and degrade enemy supply lines before a ground offensive.
According to reports, Ukraine began to effectively use Storm Shadow missiles, which were provided by the United Kingdom in May and have a range of about 250 kilometers.
Yermak’s comments followed a report in The New York Times that described “low-key debate” in the Biden administration about sending missiles to Ukraine, reversing the US position that Ukraine does not need them.
US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that he is considering the possibility of allowing the transportation to Ukraine of longer-range ATACMS missiles, which Kyiv is requesting to strengthen its counteroffensive against Russia, EFE reports.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that weapons supplied to Ukraine from the West would not change anything on the battlefield and would only escalate the conflict further, adding that foreign-made tanks were a “priority target” for Moscow’s forces, Reuters reported.
Responding to a question about France’s decision to supply Ukraine with long-range SCALP cruise missiles capable of reaching 250 km, Putin said: “Yes, they cause damage, but nothing critical happens in the combat zone with their use.”
Putin added that foreign-made tanks are a “priority target for our guys.”
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Source: Hot News
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