The United States is close to agreeing to provide Ukraine with long-range JASSM missiles that could hit targets deep inside Russia. But Kiev will have to wait a few months before the technical issues are resolved. The inclusion of these air-to-surface missiles in a military aid package for Kiev is expected to be announced this fall, three Reuters sources said, adding that a final decision had not yet been made.
The delivery of JASSM to Ukraine could significantly change the strategic environment of Russia’s war against Ukraine by placing a large part of Russian territory within range of a powerful and precision-guided cruise missile. US President Joe Biden’s administration is now reviewing the matter, officials said.
Military analysts suggest that the delivery of the JASSM missile, which has a longer range than most other missiles in Ukraine’s current inventory, could force Russia to move supply depots hundreds of kilometers deep into Russian territory. This would seriously complicate Russia’s ability to continue offensive operations and potentially give Ukraine a strategic advantage.
Older versions of the JASSM, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, have a range of approximately 370 kilometers. The missiles, about four meters long, are designed to be difficult to detect by enemy radars. They can fly close to the ground and be programmed to avoid air defense concentrations. There is also a version of the JASSM missile with a range of up to approximately 800 kilometers.
Reuters sources did not say which of these versions the US is considering delivering to Ukraine. But they have more of the shorter-range missile in stock. The latest version costs approximately one million dollars (22.7 million crowns) each.
Granting JASSM would also increase pressure on Washington to drop restrictions on Ukrainian attacks using US weapons against targets inside Russia, said a US congressional official who is working on the issue.
The US is reluctant to supply Ukraine with weapons that could hit targets deep inside Russia, fearing it could lead to an escalation of the conflict, draw NATO into war or a nuclear clash, Reuters reported.
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