Paris and London ready to give the green light to bombing Russia
According to US media reports, President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine for the first time to launch strikes on Russian territory using American long-range ATACMS missiles.
In Paris and London, similar authorization is “under consideration” for SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles.
ATACMS are long-range operational-tactical ballistic missiles launched from multiple rocket launchers, with a maximum range of 300km. They are highly accurate. They have already been used by Ukraine to bomb Crimean airfields and the Crimean Bridge.
The Storm Shadow is a long-range cruise missile produced by the European company MBDA, with a maximum range of 560km. Ukraine has adapted Soviet Su-24 bombers for them, but they can also be carried by F-16 fighters supplied to Ukraine.
In May 2023, the media reported that Great Britain had agreed to supply Storm Shadow to Ukraine on condition that the Ukrainian armed forces would not use them to attack targets on Russian territory. In September 2023, these missiles were used in attacks on annexed Sevastopol.
(MH with FM/Source: Agence/Photo: DPA/Photoshot)