US Reluctant to Provide Long-Range Missiles to Ukraine as Russia Warns of Red Line
Pentagon officials have asked the White House to cancel plans to provide long-range missiles to Ukraine over concerns that the move could seriously escalate tensions with Russia, CNBC News reported, citing two senior military officials.
US Defense Department officials have repeatedly expressed concerns about the delivery of the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) as requested by Ukraine, which has a range of more than 300 km and “could be used to target targets inside Russian territory.”
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Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). Photo: Wikipedia |
According to these officials, transferring the system to Kiev "risks igniting a larger war with Russia".
Moscow has repeatedly warned Washington against supplying ATACMS, which can be launched from the M270 multiple launch rocket system and the HIMARS M142 multiple rocket launcher system - systems that have been supplied to Ukraine.
"If Washington decides to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles, this move will cross a red line and indicate direct involvement in the conflict. We will exercise our right to self-defense using any available means," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on September 15.
Previously, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov also commented to Sputnik that, "if Kiev possesses these weapons, major Russian cities as well as transport and industrial infrastructure will be in the area at risk of destruction. This scenario means that the US will directly intervene in a military conflict with Russia"./.
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