The Russian military has successfully intercepted the Long-Range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) attack aimed at Crimea, according to the Russian authorities.
Vladimir Rogov, chairman of the We Are Together with Russia movement, disclosed this development on April 30. According to Rogov, Ukraine’s armed forces launched an assault on Crimea utilizing ATACMS missiles under the cover of darkness.
“Ten Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, six ATACMS tactical missiles manufactured by the United States and two guided ‘Hammer’ aircraft bombs manufactured by France were shot down by air defences,” the ministry said.
Last night, Russian authorities activated air defenses over Dzhankoy and Simferopol as Ukrainian militants conducted a missile strike at the Republic of Crimea,” Rogov announced on his Telegram channel.
He also stated that the Ukrainians utilized several ATACMS ballistic missiles in an apparent effort to strike at civilians on the peninsula. Overall, Russia claimed shooting down six ATACMS launched by Ukraine over the last 24 hours.
Ukraine has already deployed these long-range missile systems in attacks against Russian targets, striking a military airfield in Crimea and Russian forces in another occupied area in recent days.
For a considerable period, Washington hesitated to supply Ukraine with extended-range weaponry due to apprehensions that they might be utilized to target locations deep within Russian territory, potentially exacerbating the conflict.
However, Washington ultimately agreed, and President Joe Biden authorized their delivery as part of a substantial $300 million aid package.
On the other hand, Moscow has downplayed the significance of these deliveries, asserting that they will not alter the course of the ongoing conflict.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized the direct involvement of the US in the conflict and suggested that the expanded reach of supplied weapon systems would only exacerbate challenges for Ukraine.
Crimea’s strategic importance cannot be overstated; it hosts vital assets of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, including air bases, command centers, arms depots, barracks, and an array of defensive installations.
The familiarity of Ukrainian forces with every inch of the peninsula adds another layer of threat, leaving no sanctuary for Russian troops stationed in Crimea.
