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.
A provocation? to hit Russian targets within occupied Ukranian territory?
Look, I know the Russians expected to be hailed as saviors and welcomed by the Ukranians. But they have awoken from that fairytale some time ago.
So now calling foul when your military assets start blowing up even further behind the front lines would be something I expect them to whine over… But what are they going to do?
I hope that Putin gets to see his precious bridge to crumble.
The why doesn’t matter. Remember we are talking about long range weapons to Ukraine being taken seriously. The reason is that as with what the Russians did putting missiles in Cuba, NATO is putting long range weapons in Ukraine, which can reach Russia. Russia wcan call that a provocation if it is or not. Will they attack NATO because of that? I wouldn’t think they are that stupid. But, then they did invade Ukraine.
Ukraine has been hitting deep into Russia proper all year. If Russia is so offended that hitting someone gets you hit back, they are free to leave Ukraine.
Mostly with drones.
And you have a good point since now Ukraine has established the idea of striking inside Russia, the geopolitics are less important.
Which is the point I was wanting to get to. Wars evolve through time. What was an important consideration at one point, in this case blowback, is not necessarily as important now. So many times I see people not realizing this fact.