U.S. close to deal on long-range missiles for Ukraine, but will have to wait – Reuters

The United States has come close to an agreement to provide Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles that will be able to reach deep into Russia. However, Kyiv will have to wait several months, as the American side is still working out the technical details.

Reuters reports this, citing American officials. It is expected that the inclusion of air-to-surface missiles (JASSM) in new military aid packages to Ukraine will be announced in the fall.

Although three sources confirm that this issue is being actively discussed, no final decision has been made.

It is noted that JASSM missiles can dramatically change the strategic situation at the front, as they are capable of hitting targets at long distances, covering a large part of Russia. Analysts believe that their deployment will allow Ukraine to push Russian positions and supply depots back hundreds of kilometers, making it more difficult for Russia to conduct offensive operations and giving Ukraine an important strategic advantage.

Launched from Ukraine's northern border, these missiles could reach Russian cities such as Voronezh and Bryansk. In the south, they can hit military targets in Crimea. The JASSM missiles are capable of operating at a range of up to 300 kilometers and hitting up to 30 air bases that Russia uses for its attacks.

However, at the moment, JASSM is only integrated into American aircraft, such as the F-16s that Ukraine is planning to purchase. Each F-16 can carry up to two missiles. The American official did not specify which jets in Ukraine's inventory could be used with JASSM, but it is the Soviet MiG-29, Su-24, and Su-27 jets, the newspaper notes.

Each JASSM missile has a 450 kg warhead and costs about $1 million. It is not designed to penetrate fortified bunkers, such as the Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles provided to Ukraine by the UK and France.

As a reminder, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed that Ukraine has handed over a list of targets in Russia that it wants to hit with US ATACMS missiles. He hopes that the arguments of the Ukrainian side have been heard.

Earlier, Politico reported that Ukraine would give Biden a list of potential targets in Russia for ATACMS strikes. These missiles could be used to attack targets in Russia if Washington lifts restrictions on the use of American weapons. And Kyiv hopes that by demonstrating which targets can be hit, it will convince the American authorities to reconsider the current bans.

Ukrainian troops have long been armed with ATACMS missiles. However, the United States has not yet lifted restrictions on the use of these weapons to strike Russian airfields. At the same time, analysts estimate that Ukraine needs dozens of ATACMS missiles to conduct effective strikes on airfields.

Earlier, the Pentagon confirmed the ban on ATACMS strikes deep into Russian territory. In July 2024, the department's spokesman, Major General Pat Ryder, cited fears that the war could "go beyond Ukraine."

As reported by OBOZ.UA, there are at least 250 military and paramilitary facilities in Russia that can be hit by ATACMS missiles. However, the United States restricts the use of these missiles to strike targets in Russia, allowing only HIMARS to be used.

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