The US government is considering approving a new military aid package for Ukraine that would include long-range missiles with cluster munitions to give Kiev the ability to inflict significant strikes on occupied Ukrainian territory behind its front lines of defence. This information is transmitted by the Reuters news agency citing four officials, who remain anonymous.

Having witnessed the effectiveness of the 155 mm cluster munitions delivered to Ukraine in recent months, the US is considering the delivery of ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) with a range of 306 km and/or GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) with a range of 72 km which will carry cluster munitions, reports Reuters.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces already have 155 mm artillery shells, which can scatter up to 48 bombs over a distance of about 30 km.

ATACMS missiles are capable of carrying about 300 such bombs, and GMLRS even more (up to 404).

As Kiev’s counteroffensive shows signs of progress, the US administration is looking to bolster Ukrainian Armed Forces at a crucial time, officials told Reuters.

A final decision on delivery of ATACMS or GMLRS missiles – or both – has not been made, US officials stress. The Biden administration has been considering the possibility of delivering ATACMS missiles to Ukraine for months, fearing it would be seen as an overly hostile move against Russia.

Source: ANA MNA