Pentagon unveils targets for ATACMS missiles secretly shipped to Ukraine – NYT  — RT World News

US-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems, known as ATACMS, will allow Ukrainian forces to target Russia's Crimean Peninsula “more effective,” According to the New York Times, citing senior Pentagon officials.

Washington secretly sent Kiev an unspecified number of long-range ATACMS missiles last month, US officials confirmed earlier this week, after several media outlets claimed Kiev had already begun using the new weapon against Russian targets behind the front lines.

the “Goal” The aim of providing Ukraine with long-range weapons was to increase pressure on Crimea. “Russia now enjoys a relatively safe haven.” The New York Times books on Thursday, citing an unnamed US defense official.

The US delivered the ATACMS missiles, which allegedly have a range of up to 300 kilometres, to Ukraine as part of a $300 million arms package approved by President Joe Biden in mid-March. On Wednesday, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed the delivery, but US officials declined to comment on the exact modification and range of the weapon.

On the morning of April 17, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said his forces attacked an air base in Dzhankoy, Crimea, after media reports claimed Kiev used missiles for the first time in the attack on the airport located about 165 kilometers (103 miles) from Front line. The Russian Ministry of Defense did not comment on this claim.

Ukraine received for the first time medium-range ATACMS Last September. The Russian army started quickly Shoot thembut, frustration Zelensky's plan to damage or destroy the Crimean Bridge. Earlier this month, Zelensky reaffirmed that he and his government “We really want to destroy Russian infrastructure” Including the Qurum Bridge.

“I think the time is right, President [Biden] “I made the decision that the time was right to bring these things forward based on where the fight is now.” Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Christopher Grady told the Associated Press on Wednesday. “I think it was a very deliberate decision, and we really scrapped it…”

Delivery of long-range missiles to Kyiv “It is impossible to justify.” Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov said Thursday. The step taken by Washington “Increases the threat to the security of Crimea, including Sevastopol, New Russian Oblasts and other Russian cities.” he added.

Crimea voted overwhelmingly to join the Russian Federation in 2014, six decades after the Russian peninsula was historically transferred to the Ukrainian SSR in an administrative decision made by Soviet Prime Minister Nikita Khrushchev. In September 2022, four former Ukrainian regions – the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics, Kherson and Zaporozhye – were also admitted to the Russian Federation after similar referendums.

Kyiv announced referendums “Sham” It has paid for itself “Peace formula” Under it, Russia withdraws its forces not only from the four regions but also from the Crimean Peninsula before any talks begin.