Ukraine and the long-range “smart” missiles and weapons supplied by the United States unleash Russia’s anger: “A threat to Moscow”

Another 100 million in military aid from the United States to Ukraine. This announcement came three days before US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during his surprise visit to Kiev. The package includes MANPADS air defense missiles, M142 Humars systems, additional munitions for the Humars, 155mm and 105mm artillery munitions, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Tow and At-4 anti-tank missiles, demolition munitions, and more than three million weapons. Small. Weapon ammunition, Claymore anti-personnel ammunition that is designed to comply with the Ottawa Convention. As well as spare parts, auxiliary equipment, cold weather equipment, services, training and transportation.

Editing

However, the new High Mobility Artillery Missile System (HIMARS) may involve modification beyond the “red line” set by Kremlin President Vladimir Putin. That is, it would be tantamount to deploying missile systems on Ukrainian territory that could endanger the security of the Union, and are capable of reaching Russian command centers within minutes. In the presence of certain launch systems on Ukrainian territory, the flight time over Moscow will be from 7 to 10 minutes, five minutes in the case of a hypersonic missile. Tell me what should we do in this situation? We must create something similar towards those who threaten us in this way. “We can do it,” Putin warned two years ago. “Creating similar risks in Ukraine would be a red line for us, but I hope we don’t reach that point,” he noted. “I hope common sense and responsibility towards our countries and the international community will prevail.”

long term

The memo from the US Department of Defense explains that the aid will help provide Ukraine “with the capabilities it needs now to defend itself and deter future Russian aggression,” describing the move as a “smart investment.” However, the Militarny report speculates, as reported by Newsweek, that one of the sent Himar missiles could include a “unique modification” that would allow Kiev’s military to launch long-range weapons. Putin’s government has repeatedly warned the United States and its allies against providing such supplies to Ukraine.

US-made weapons that can be launched using Himar missiles modified for long-range use, according to Militarny, include ground-launched small diameter bombs (Glsdb) and long-range missiles intended for the Army’s Tactical Missile Systems (Atacms). Using the latest generation of “smart” technology. A year ago, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned: “If Washington decides to supply Kiev with long-range missiles, it will cross the red line and become a direct party to the conflict.” The message received by the White House. In December 2022, the Wall Street Journal, citing government sources, wrote that the United States had modified HIMARS missile launchers allocated to Ukraine to prevent their use to strike targets on Russian territory.

A precautionary measure considered necessary by the administration of President Joe Biden to reduce the risks of expanding the scope of the ongoing conflict. In fact, the missiles were used to hit weapons depots, command centers and other sensitive targets of Russian forces on Ukrainian territory, although the Himar missiles are capable of launching more powerful missiles such as the Atakum, which have a range of more than 300 kilometers. The Wall Street Journal revealed that Biden gave orders to the Pentagon to develop batteries allocated to Ukraine to prevent this option, indicating Washington’s intention to balance its military support in favor of Kiev to avoid the risk of escalation with Moscow. But he was also looking with concern at the possibility that Ukraine would not abide by its promise not to strike Russian territory with American weapons. Now this caution may be jeopardized by the dispatch of new Hamar forces.

Tensions

This year, the United States has already handed over Glasdb and Atakms to Volodymyr Zelensky’s army, while the allies have crossed the so-called “red line.” However, Russia did not pursue its intimidation. In January, a day after the United States announced it would send a GLSDB missile to Kiev, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said those weapons — potentially capable of hitting targets on Russian territory — were “extremely dangerous” and would lead to “the end of The whole conflict.” A new dimension.” Tensions escalated further in May when the British government announced that it would send long-range Storm shadow missiles to Ukraine.

Peskov’s response was radical: he stressed that the Kremlin viewed the development “in an extremely negative way” and threatened a “major response from our armed forces.” The United States agreed to supply Ukraine with Atakum missiles in September: they have a maximum range of more than 180 miles, but the version sent will be equipped with cluster munitions with a range limited to 100 miles. Putin reiterated that the systems represent an “additional danger” to Russia, while insisting that Moscow’s army’s response capabilities are “capable of repelling” the attacks. He also warned that the United States made a “mistake” because it “prolonged Ukraine’s suffering.” And not only that: “It is a mistake of a broader nature that the United States is directly and increasingly involved in this conflict.”