About Ukraine Using U.S. Long Range Missiles – A Risky Gamble

President Joe Biden now authorizes Ukraine to use the U.S. Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) inside Russia, a decision that follows months of lobbying by Ukrainian officials and is seen by anyone with an ounce of common sense as a United States/NATO escalation in the Russo-Ukrainian War.

When asked for a comment on Biden’s decision, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said simply that Russian President Vladimir Putin “has already spoken on this matter.” Indeed, he has. On September 12, 2024, Putin stated to Russian media, saying, “It is not a question of allowing the Ukrainian regime to strike Russia with these weapons or not. It is about deciding whether NATO countries become directly involved in the military conflict or not.” He added, “Moscow will make appropriate decisions in response to threats that are imposed on us.”

Developed in 1991, the missile is a supersonic tactical ballistic missile designed and manufactured by Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV) and Lockheed Martin. It uses a solid propellant, measures 13 feet long and 24 inches in diameter, and has a range of 190 miles. The missile is launched from the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and the M142 High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). 

The system was upgraded beginning in 2015 when the Obama administration signed a contract with Lockheed Martin to develop new hardware; the first modernized system was delivered in September 2016.  Additional work commenced almost immediately to enable ATACMS to strike moving targets on land and at sea.  This project was terminated in December 2020 after considerable expenditures had already been made to the developer.

The ship-launched version of this system is called NATACMS.

Beginning in late 2023, Ukraine started to use the earliest (short-range) version of the missile system to threaten the Russian-occupied land corridor to Crimea in southern Ukraine, as well as the Russian air bases in northern Crimea.

Despite recent information about President Biden authorizing these missiles for use in Ukraine, the fact is that Ukraine already used them in February 2024 against the Russian-occupied Dzhankoi Air Base. Presumably, Biden now allows Ukraine to send the missiles into Russia proper, along with the possible use of a NATO system called Storm Shadow (SCALPEG), a cruise missile system.

Note from video:

As Ukraine faces its most devastating winter, President Biden’s decision to allow ATACMS strikes within Russian territory has worsened the situation. this big shift in u.s policy, coming just months before Trump’s return to power, threatens to transform a proxy war into a direct confrontation between nuclear powers.

Although most people are not paying attention to these events or consider them potential threats to the peace and security of the United States, the few who are paying attention correctly note that this exemplifies the true nature of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

In exchange for access to European markets and industries and influence on certain European Union policies and programs, the United States will fight most of NATO’s battles and fund the costs of lethal conflict in both blood and materials.  Sweden, meanwhile, has begun a series of emergency notifications to its citizens to prepare for general war.

One of these days, Americans will wake up and stop electing Democrats to any office higher than dog catcher.