War in Ukraine: range, kilos of explosives… everything you need to know about the long-range ATACMS missiles that kyiv can now use

President Joe Biden's administration has lifted restrictions that until now prevented Ukraine from using U.S.-supplied weapons to strike deep into Russian territory, three sources familiar with the decision said. Ukraine plans to carry out its first attacks with long-range missiles in the coming days, the sources – two US officials and one informed source – added, without revealing details due to operational security concerns.

Characteristic of missiles

These are more precisely the American long-range ATACMS missiles, “Army Tactical Missile System”. They were designed in 1990 and the first use was recorded in Iraq the following year, note West France.

They were subsequently produced in large numbers. To date, the United States has a total of 2,500 ATACMS, “including 1,500 with a range of 300 kilometers”specifies Defense Express.

Volodymyr Zelensky had repeatedly called on his European and American allies to authorize him to use long-range missiles on Russian soil, but all the countries had always refused. If kyiv's allies oppose it, it is for good reason.

With no less than 226 kilos of explosives and a range of more than 300 kilometers, ATACMS missiles could wreak real havoc in the country led by Vladimir Putin, and are particularly feared. With this green light given this Sunday by the United States, the conflict could experience a new escalation. Russia has repeatedly repeated that it would consider any American decision in this direction as a “major escalation”.

“The missiles will speak for themselves”

This authorization was given a few hours after Ukraine suffered one of the largest attacks ever recorded in the country since the start of the war. If kyiv has been waiting for this news for a long time, Volodymyr Zelensky wants to be cautious.

“But strikes are not carried out using words. Things like this are not announced. The missiles will speak for themselves”declared the Ukrainian president.