As the conflict between Ukraine and Russia endures, a new and significant development has been observed on the Crimean front. The United States, in an effort to bolster Ukrainian defense, has supplied Kyiv with long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which have already left a notable imprint on Russian forces stationed in Crimea. This development, underscoring a shift in battlefield dynamics, comes amid Ukraine’s intensifying strikes on Russian facilities on the peninsula—a territory Moscow has occupied since 2014 and which Kyiv has vowed to recapture.
The ATACMS is compatible with the M142 HIMARS rocket artillery trucks and the older M270 MLRS vehicles, which are already in Ukraine’s arsenal. Reports indicate that recent strikes have taken a substantial toll on Russian military capabilities, including the destruction of significant assets such as the S-400 air defense systems and MiG-31 fighter jets. One of the pivotal moments occurred between May 14 and May 15, when Ukrainian forces launched a heavy attack on the Russian airbase at Belbek, resulting in massive fires detected by NASA satellite imagery. The impact of these long-range strikes has been so profound that Russia has been compelled to withdraw aircraft from bases near the front lines, relocating them to safer locations beyond the reach of Ukraine’s precision-guided munitions.
The Belbek airfield, near the city of Sevastopol, is a strategic military installation that housed a considerable number of Russian jets. Despite Russia’s Defense Ministry’s claims of intercepting 10 U.S.-supplied ATACMS ballistic missiles with their Tor-M2 air defense systems, independent analysts and satellite imagery suggest otherwise. It has been reported that up to 16 ATACMS missiles were fired at the airbase, causing extensive damage.
The introduction of the ATACMS into Ukraine’s military operations has been a turning point in the conflict. Initially, there was hesitation from the Biden administration to supply these missiles, with concerns that their use could provoke deeper strikes into Russian territory, potentially crossing a ‘red line’ set by Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, the arrival of the Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG cruise missiles, provided by the UK and France, which have even greater range than the ATACMS, helped mitigate these concerns. The United States’ provision of mid-range ATACMS, capable of reaching 165 kilometers, followed by the delivery of longer-range versions capable of striking up to 300 kilometers, signifies the escalation of international support for Ukraine.
As a testament to their destructive capability, the enhanced arsenal has been instrumental in targeting over 100 military positions on the Crimean Peninsula. The recent successes have forced the Russian military to adjust its deployments, as highlighted by the relocation of numerous warplanes from frontline bases. The ability to hit critical infrastructure, such as the Crimean Bridge—which serves as a crucial link between the peninsula and mainland Russia—exemplifies the strategic advantage that ATACMS provide to Ukrainian forces.
In response to these developments, Russian officials have acknowledged the ATACMS threat, with Georgy Muradov, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Crimea, expressing concern over the potential targeting of Crimean cities and the critical Crimean Bridge. Despite assurances in the reliability of their air defenses, the acknowledgment of a “new threat” is indicative of the increasing pressure the Russian military faces in Crimea.
Relevant articles:
– ATACMS ‘Wreaks Havoc’ On Crimea; Reports Suggest Russian S-400 Radar, MiG-31 Aircraft Annihilated In Attacks , EurAsian Times, 05/18/2024
– Probable Mass ATACMS Missile Strike Hits Russian Airfield in Crimea, Kyiv Post, 05/16/2024
– Let’s Talk About Ukraine’s Attack On Russian Radar Station, Air Base in Crimea with Storm Shadow, ATACMS, The Aviationist, 05/16/2024
– Russia Claims to Intercept 10 US ATACMS Missiles Over Crimea With Tor, Army Recognition, 05/17/2024
– Crimea Air Base on Fire After ATACMS Strike Hosted 32 Russian Jets: Report, Newsweek, 05/15/2024
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