In a significant development in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Ukrainian forces have reportedly struck targets in the Russian-occupied territory of Crimea utilizing U.S.-supplied missiles, raising questions about the escalation of the war and the shifting strategies of both Ukrainian and U.S. military aid policies.
From the front lines, the sounds of warfare have been a grim backdrop to the lives of those in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region. Against this, Ukraine has launched bold attacks, using U.S.-supplied long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to hit strategic targets such as Russian command centers and air defense systems in occupied Crimea. This comes after months of U.S. reluctance to provide long-range systems over concerns they would be used to strike deep within Russian territory.
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has previously indicated a change in stance, stating, “We will not enable Ukraine with U.S. systems, Western systems, to attack Russia. And we believe Crimea is Ukraine.” This nod towards the legitimacy of strikes on Crimea by Ukrainian forces has been accompanied by the destruction of the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, among other targets. Notably, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the importance of such capabilities in restoring peace, as he thanked Congress for passing a new aid bill.
Despite the official limitations, there are reports of Ukrainian forces using U.S.-made military hardware within Russian borders and engaging in successful “ambushes” using U.S. weapons such as AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles and Patriot systems against Russian air defense and aircraft over Russian territory.
Moreover, there is a sense of urgency stemming from Russia’s recent troop amassment along the border, which appears to be a precursor to further offensive operations. With the Biden administration’s past restrictions, the Ukrainian military’s ability to respond effectively has been hindered, resulting in one-sided engagements favoring Russian advances.
In contrast to these constraints, the use of long-range ATACMS suggests a shift, albeit a cautious one. These weapons have recently been employed by Ukraine to strike an airfield in Dzhankoi and east of Berdyansk in occupied Crimea. While the ATACMS with a range of up to 190 miles now offer Ukraine a significant advantage on the battlefield, it remains to be seen how these capabilities will be employed moving forward, given the complex geopolitical and military considerations.
Relevant articles:
– Exclusive | Ukraine Hits Russian Complex in Occupied Crimea With U.S.-Supplied Missiles , The Wall Street Journal, 05/24/2024
– Ukraine Has Every Right To Hit Russians in Russia With US Weapons, New Lines Magazine, 05/24/2024
– Ukraine can finally target Russian-occupied areas with long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S., Milwaukee Independent, 05/24/2024
– Calls grow for Biden admin to allow Ukraine to strike Russia with U.S. weapons – National, Global News, 05/23/2024
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