Kyiv recevies long-range missiles, sets sights on Crimea targets

According to Pentagon officials, Ukraine might attack Russian targets in Crimea with ATACMS missiles. After months of requests, Kyiv received a version of the military tactical missile systems with a longer range, capable of covering a distance of about 350 km. In early April, media reported that Kyiv's target might be the Crimean Bridge.

The previous version of the ATACMS missiles had a range of about 160 km. The USA modified the missiles, fearing that Kyiv could strike deep behind the front, which could prompt Moscow to retaliate.

U.S. national security officials stated that most of the delayed weapon deliveries had to focus on strengthening Ukraine's defence. "The new system can reach deep into the Russia-occupied parts of Ukraine and target supply nodes for the Russian forces in the southeast" - writes "The New York Times".

"The goal of the new longer-range systems is to put greater pressure on Crimea - a hub of Russian air and land forces, where currently Russia has a relative haven," said a senior defence official in the Pentagon on Thursday.

Officials refused to provide the exact number of long-range systems sent to Ukraine. As "NYT" reports, the Biden administration secretly sent longer-range ATACMS to avoid alarming the Russians. The missiles were part of a package announced in March worth 300 million dollars, the first new aid package for Kyiv since December.

"Ukraine used longer-range missiles on Tuesday to attack Russian troops in the port city of Berdiansk," said a senior U.S. official.

The military airport in Dzhankoi in the occupied Crimea was also attacked.

"One thing we could see is that deliveries to Ukraine proved effective," said Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The American newspaper notes that President Biden's decision in February to send more than 100 long-range systems to Ukraine marked a significant policy change. His administration had previously hesitated to send them, fearing that Kyiv would use the systems to attack targets in Russia, which could lead to further escalation of the conflict.

"However, more than two years after Russia's invasion and occupation of Ukraine, Biden's calculus has changed," say administration officials.

The target of the ATACMS missile might be the Crimean Bridge. In early April, "The Guardian" reported that the main intelligence directorate was preparing a special operation to destroy the crossing. According to the newspaper's information, the action is expected to occur in the first half of 2024.