Moscow: The Russian defense ministry announced on Saturday that its air defense forces successfully intercepted and destroyed four long-range US-made missiles flying over the Crimea peninsula. These missiles, identified as Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), had recently been dispatched by the US to Ukraine.
According to Russian officials, Ukraine had launched an attack on Crimea using ATACMS missiles earlier in the week, aiming to breach Russian air defenses over the annexed peninsula. However, six of the missiles were intercepted successfully.
A US official in Washington revealed recently that the country had covertly delivered long-range missiles to Ukraine over the past few weeks.
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US ATACMS Missiles
Reportedly capable of traveling up to 300 kilometers (190 miles), the ATACMS missiles were deployed for the first time during the early hours of April 17, according to an official cited in media reports. The missiles were purportedly aimed at a Russian airfield in Crimea, located approximately 165 kilometers (103 miles) from the Ukrainian front lines, as stated by the official.
Initially, the Pentagon opposed the deployment of long-range missiles, expressing concerns that their removal from the American stockpile could negatively impact US military readiness. There were apprehensions that Ukraine might utilize the weapons to target distant areas in Russia, potentially escalating the conflict into a direct confrontation between Russia and the United States.
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UK’s Aid to Ukraine
In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine, establishing control over the peninsula, where the Black Sea Fleet of Russia is stationed.
On Thursday, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron pledged £3 billion ($3.7 billion) in annual military aid for Ukraine, asserting support “for as long as it takes”. He also stated that London had no objection to its weapons being used within Russia, drawing a sharp rebuke from Moscow.
