For a long time, the USA hesitated to supply Ukraine with ATACMS missiles with a higher range. However, according to a report by tagesschau.de and a reference to The Washington Post from the end of September, this has changed.
On the night from Monday to Tuesday, Ukraine launched an attack against the Russian invaders using ATACMS missiles – likely a variant that has a range of up to 165 kilometers. However, depending on the type, there are also ATACMS with a range of up to 300 kilometers. ATACMS are fired from the ground to target and are very precise. Newer models are also steerable. They are compared to the German “Taurus” cruise missiles because of their range. Ukraine aims to attack Russian bases behind the front on Ukrainian territory with these missiles. In the West, there is concern that Kyiv could use the great range also to bombard targets within Russia.
According to Ukrainian reports, nine Russian helicopters were destroyed in the attacks from Monday to Tuesday due to the ATACMS.
Image: kremlin.ru, 2018 inauguration of Vladimir Putin 53, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (image size modified)
