What are ATACMS? The long-range missiles Ukraine may use to strike again at Russia after Biden resolution | EUROtoday

Joe Biden has sensationally granted Kyiv permission to make use of “long-range “ missiles to strike targets deep within Russia, despite Vladimir Putin describing such a move as an act of war.

The weapons are likely to be used in response to North Korea’s decision to send thousands of troops to Russia in support of President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and comes after months of pressure from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

He argued the US ban had made it impossible for Ukraine to try to stop Russian attacks on its cities and electrical grids.

We look closer at the weapons that could mark a turning point in the war.

Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) rockets

The first deep strikes are likely to be carried out using Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) rockets, which have a range of up to 190 miles (306 km), according to sources who revealed Biden’s policy.

ATACMS are a long-range guided missile that gives operational commanders the “immediate firepower to win the deep battle”.

Produced by US international safety and aerospace firm Lockheed Martin, the missiles carry a 500lb (227kg) class blast fragmentation warhead.

These missiles can attain as much as 300km (186 miles) and are robust to intercept because of their excessive pace.

The weapons are fitted with a specialised GPS system and carry cluster munitions.

When fired, the clusters open within the air, releasing a whole lot of bomblets reasonably than a single warhead.

Storm Shadow

Until now the Storm Shadow missiles have been restricted to Russian targets working inside Ukraine, in addition to in occupied Crimea. The missiles have been seemingly used within the largest Ukrainian assault on the headquarters ofRussia’s Black Sea fleet final yr at Sevastopol.

The different missile being touted the British/French made Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG missile has a for much longer estimated vary of as much as 550 km (340 miles).

The UK has provided Ukraine with Storm Shadows, however hasn’t allowed Ukraine to make use of them towards Russian territory.

Manufacturer MBDA has mentioned that the missile, which is fired from an plane, is designed to evade detection regardless of flying low after being launched.

Powered by a turbo-jet engine, the 1,300kg Storm Shadow travels at speeds of greater than 600mph, is simply over 5 metres lengthy and has a wingspan of three metres.

After launch, the weapon, geared up with its personal navigation system, descends to a low altitude to keep away from detection earlier than locking on to its goal utilizing an infra-red seeker.

On closing strategy the missile climbs to the next altitude to maximise the possibilities of hitting the goal.

What did Putin warn if West let Ukraine use long-range missiles

Washington’s resolution to let Ukraine strike deep into Russia with long-range U.S. missiles may result in World War Three and can obtain a swift response, Vladimir Dzhabarov, first deputy head of the Russian higher home’s worldwide affairs committee, mentioned on Sunday, based on the TASS information company.

If Ukraine is allowed to make use of long-range Western-provided missiles towards targets inside Russia, it might imply the direct participation of Nato international locations within the battle, Vladimir Putin mentioned on Thursday 12 September.

Western long-range precision weapons can solely be used with intelligence information from Nato satellites and flight assignments entered by Nato navy personnel, he claimed.

“Therefore, we are not talking about allowing the Ukrainian regime to strike Russia with these weapons or not. We are talking about making a decision about whether NATO countries are directly involved in the military conflict or not,” Mr Putin mentioned.

He added that the choice would change “the very nature of the conflict”.

“This will mean that Nato countries, the United States, and European countries are fighting against Russia.”

Will long-range missile strikes on Russia change the tide of warfare?

“This is a very important decision for us,” Serhii Kuzan, Chairman of the Kyiv-based suppose tank, the Ukrainian Security and Co-operation Centre, advised the BBC.

“It’s not something that will change the course of the war, but I think it will make our forces more equal.”

Mr Kuzan mentioned the choice had come simply in time to counter the anticipated begin of a serious assault by Russian and Korean troops, designed to dislodge Ukrainian forces from the Russian Kursk area.

The assault is predicted inside days.

“That’s why this decision comes just in time. There are two days left,” he tells me, including that a lot trusted what portions of missiles have already been supplied to Ukraine and whether or not the US shares intelligence info to allow the missiles for use to the best impact.