Washington is reported to want to supply powerful missiles that can help to end the Russian naval blockade against Ukrainian ports
President Joe Biden’s administration is reportedly maneuvering to send more advanced anti-ship missiles to Ukraine to help the former Soviet republic break a Russian naval blockade of its Black Sea ports.
According to Reuters on Thursday, both the Harpoon missiles, manufactured by Boeing and the Naval Strike Missiles, (NSM), produced by Raytheon Technologies. The missiles could be sent directly to Kiev by the European allies or through their intermediaries.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president has been lobbying his Western supporters since April to get Harpoons and other similar missiles. Reuters reported that countries have not been the first or only country to provide such weapons to Kiev. “fearing Russian reprisals if a ship is sunk with a Harpoon from their stockpile.”
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One “well stocked”The report states that the United States is considering being the first country to deliver such missiles into Ukraine. Other countries might soon follow. NSM missiles can be easily launched from coast and have a range of up to 250 km. NATO members have access to mobile NSM launchers that are ground-based, Reuters stated. The warheads, however, would be sent from Norway.
The Harpoon can destroy targets from nearly 300 kilometers away, but it’s typically used as a ship-to-ship missile, and there are few platforms available for launching it from shore. Reuters reports that the US could try to fix this issue by launching a rocket from an American warship. Harpoon is a cruiser that follows a low path and uses active radar guidance.
Ukraine has also requested Multiple Rocket Launcher Systems (MRLS), such as Lockheed Martin’s M270, which now can reportedly be considered for shipment after Thursday’s passage of a $40 billion aid bill by the US Senate. The M270 can hit a target upward of 70 kilometers away, a far longer range than is offered by Ukraine’s existing howitzer rounds.
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Russian officials warned that lifting the Russian blockade on Odessa and other Black Sea port might enable shipments to Ukraine of wheat and other Ukrainian exports. Russian officials warn that Western arms shipments to Ukraine will be stopped. “pouring oil on the flames”This could lead to a larger conflict.
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US Representative Matt Gaetz (R.Florida), stated last week that while the bill for Ukraine was under discussion, it had been criticized by the Biden government. He said that by increasing weapons shipments from Kiev and imposing sanctions on Moscow, the administration of Vice President Joe Biden was attempting to undermine the country’s sovereignty. “sleepwalking”Russia to war
Russia attacked the neighboring state following Ukraine’s failure to implement the terms of the Minsk agreements, first signed in 2014, and Moscow’s eventual recognition of the Donbass republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. Minsk Protocol, which was French and German-mediated, was intended to grant the regions that were separated from the Ukrainian state special status.
In recent years, the Kremlin demands that Ukraine declares itself to be neutral so that it can join NATO. Kiev claims that the Russian invasion was unprovoked. It also denies any plans to take the republics with force.
