Russian state television condemns the United States’ “act of war” in sending long-range missiles to Ukraine.
According to a senior Russian military official, the US sending long-range missiles to Ukraine is an act of war against Moscow.
US President Joe Biden announced that the US will send rocket systems to the invaded Ukraine, advancing the country’s capabilities.
The weapon has a long range and can launch multiple precision-guided missiles at the same time.
Leading Kremlin propagandists have also claimed that the move increases the likelihood of Russian President Vladimir Putin launching a nuclear strategic strike against the United States.
Retired Lieutenant-General Evgeny Buzhinsky, 72, a former senior officer in the Soviet and Russian armies, said the US move should not be underestimated.
“This will no longer be a special operation, but rather a regular war.” Then, as in a normal war, it should be necessary to strike decision-making centres.”
The weapons will allow Ukrainian forces to attack Russian troops from a great distance, beyond the range of Russian artillery.
HIMAR units are equipped with either a preloaded pod of six 227mm guided missiles or a large pod containing an Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) tactical missile.
The units can be reloaded in under a minute with a small crew, increasing their dependability.
President Biden stated in the New York Times that the weapons are intended to help Ukraine “fight on the battlefield and be in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table.”
Lieutenant-General Buzhinsky urged the Kremlin to target key Ukrainian government and industrial sites.
“We should strike large industrial centres, yes, civilian infrastructure will be damaged, which we are still trying to preserve,” he said. “If such weapons appear, we should lift the restrictions we imposed on ourselves.”
