Putin under pressure: Ukrainian missile forces Moscow to take new step

From: October 22, 2023, 4:56 am

By: Patrick Mayer

To divide

Ukraine’s ATACMS missiles appear to be causing great concern and casualties to the Russian military. Moscow should react significantly.

Berdyansk – Did Moscow autocrat Vladimir Putin imagine things differently? Despite the war in Israel, arms deliveries to Ukraine continue unabated, albeit with restrictions – and with powerful effects against the Russian army.

Arms deliveries to Ukraine: ATACMS puts pressure on the Russian army

One example: in Luhansk Oblast and near Berdyansk on the Sea of ​​Azov, nine helicopters, ammunition depots and a launch pad for anti-aircraft systems belonging to invading Russian troops were destroyed in attacks on two airfields. Using so-called ATACMS rockets, fired from the infamous HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, which the US manufacturer is currently modifying. This is reported from the Ukrainian side.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s advisor, Mykhailo Podolyak, then declared on X (formerly Twitter) that “there are no longer any safe places for Russian troops within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders. This means that there is no possibility of maintaining the South, Crimea and the Black Sea Fleet in the medium term. The countdown has begun.” Russia apparently responded immediately to the ATACMS aerial threat.

An M39 rocket is fired from a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher. (Symbolic photo) © IMAGO/US Army/Avalon

Specifically: According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Russian military is now considering removing aircraft behind front lines. In addition to the Kamov Ka-52 “Alligator” attack helicopters and Mi-8 transport helicopters, this will likely include several Su fighters. The machines are probably too valuable to be exposed to the high risk of ATACMS.

Arms deliveries to Ukraine: Russian armed forces fear aircraft because of ATACMS

“Ukraine’s attacks on ‘operationally significant’ Russian airfields with its new US-made ATACMS will likely force the Russian military to withdraw some of its aircraft from the front,” analyzed American think tank ISW in its daily analysis on Wednesday. fair (October 18). Russian military bloggers also speculated on social media that Ukraine had deployed the recently acquired ATACMS. Zelensky himself publicly suggested its use in the “Dragonfly” campaign.

If the ISW is correct in its assessment, the Russian army would have to move helicopters and planes far, far away from the front. Possibly on our own territory, one that has not been annexed or occupied in violation of international law. This means that Russian destructive weapons and ammunition depots are no longer safe in many parts of Crimea. Because: Depending on the version of the rocket used, ATACMS have a range of up to 300 kilometers. M39 rockets are said to have recently hit airfields near Berdyansk and in the Luhansk region.

ATACMS missiles for Ukraine: 3,700 km/h fast, range 300 kilometers

This is reported by the American business magazine Forbes. It is precisely this rocket that illustrates the danger to enemy military equipment. Because: It is supposed to carry up to 1,000 bombs in its warhead. These are small bombs that explode over a larger area with minimal delay when the main weapon detonates. Or when they explode, they also fly through the air like high-speed projectiles and literally crash into objects and people. With devastating effect.

Arms deliveries to Ukraine: M39 ATACMS rockets hit airfields

According to Forbes, the radius of the M39 ATACMS missiles is thousands of square meters, which cannot be independently verified. Technical details reveal: In the Ukraine war, Kiev has now also received the much-requested long-range cluster munitions. The tricky thing is that you can’t really defend yourself from bombs. Cluster munitions reach even the most distant corners, for example, in an enemy position.

A HIMARS fires an ATACMS missile at a military test site. (File photo) © IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

“For 33 years, the M39 has been one of the most powerful deep impact munitions in the U.S. arsenal. And it is now one of the most powerful deep impact munitions in the Ukrainian arsenal,” Forbes tellingly wrote about the weapon. The business magazine would have good contacts in Washington, which reinforces the information in the report.

Arms deliveries to Ukraine: ATACMS attacks on Russian airfields

“Ukrainian ATACMS strikes on operationally important Russian airfields in Ukraine will likely prompt the Russian command to disband air forces and withdraw some aircraft to airfields further from the front line,” the widely cited ISW explained regarding the new arms deliveries from abroad .

While there in the US, President Joe Biden is pushing for new aid packages for Ukraine. With a clear message to the Hamas terrorist militia in the Middle East and Russian autocrats in Eastern Europe: “Hamas and Putin pose different threats, but they have one thing in common: they both want to completely destroy their neighboring democracies.” (pm)