Is it too late for Ukrainian long-range missiles?

Last Sunday it was announced that the president of USA Joe Biden, authorized Ukraine so that he can use the missiles provided by his country to carry out attacks on the territory of Russia .

The decision of the American government was made after Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky insisted for months for this authorization to be given to his forces.

After the measurement has been reported, Russian President Vladimir Putin updated the nuclear doctrine from Russia which has been interpreted by different analysts as a warning to both Ukraine and its Western allies.

This document is the one that establishes the conditions under which it could decide to use nuclear weapons .

The recent update indicates that the Kremlin will consider aggression by any non-nuclear-weapon state (like Ukraine), but with the participation of a nuclear country (like the United States), as a joint attack on Russia .

However, shortly after Putin announced this change, Ukraine held its first stroke with American-made missiles against Russian territory .

More precisely, as confirmed by several sources, The army’s tactical missile system was used ( ATACMS ) against a military installation in the Bryansk region.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, there were no casualties in the episode .

The Biden administration’s decision announced Sunday was due, in part, to the addition of troops from North Korea to Russian troops According to US officials, New York Times .

Although Ukraine has been using ATACMS missiles for over a year, Until the recent authorization, it could only be used to attack Russian targets located on Ukrainian territory. .

Throughout this year, While Zelensky tirelessly insisted that permission be granted, the Kremlin warned that this could mean escalation. in the war.

It is assumed that The latter contributed to the United States not giving the green light previously.

Ukraine received permission before 1,000 days had passed since the Russian invasion began. while its first attack with American-made missiles against Russian territory took place on the day of the aforementioned commemoration, that is, November 19.

The conflict has spread more than two and a half years from February 24, 2022 .

Meanwhile, the military and economic aid programs that provided Kyiv’s Western allies played a crucial role so that his forces could counter the offensive.

However, while the Biden administration’s recent authorization addresses a need that Ukraine has consistently expressed, Some critics say the decision came too late to have a truly significant impact. on the battlefield.

ATACMS missiles manufactured by Lockheed Martin, depending on the model, They have the ability to hit targets 300 kilometers away with a warhead containing approximately 170 kilos of explosives.

It is enough for Ukrainian forces to strike from airports and weapons depots to training centers and supply lines according to an analysis of Institute for the Study of War based in Washington.

However, the analysts consulted by the Wall Street Journal they assured that Lengthy US deliberations gave Russia time to prepare for when authorization was finally granted to Ukraine.

With this in mind, the director of military sciences of the Royal United Services Institute Matthew Savill said that This wait allowed the Kremlin to move some higher-value targets, such as planes and helicopters, out of missile range. ATACMS.

Ukraine can attack others, ‘but it would have reduced impact’ since when the Ukrainians first asked for these weapons,” added the specialist from the London-based think tank.

Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba lamented in a message posted on his social media on Monday: “While Ukraine has been fighting for months for new weapons, permission to deploy them, and investment in its defense industry, Russia is getting what it needs to kill Ukrainians and seize their territory “ .

Despite the above, the fact that Ukrainian forces can use American-made missiles to carry out attacks inside Russia puts hundreds of potential targets at your fingertips .

This way they can use ATACMS to attack enemy troop concentrations, military equipment, ammunition depots and supply lines .

Until approval, Russia could transport its logistics to the combat front without much fear. that it was interrupted.

Instead, With the recent authorization, certain objectives of interest could be achieved by the projectiles that Ukraine has.

This disruption to Russian logistics could also contribute to Ukrainian forces greater margin to plan your operations .

Along with this, attacks on airports could affect attacks with glide bombs that Russian troops launch from planes that park over there.

However, until now, It is unclear how many of these missiles Ukraine has. .

The first Ukrainian attack on Russian territory with ATACMS missiles took place on Tuesday November 19 against an ammunition depot. located in the Bryansk region, in the southwest of the country.

According to analysts consulted by the NewspaperYesIt is assumed that one of the areas likely to be subsequently attacked with these projectiles is the Kursk region. .

This is where Ukrainian forces began their cross-border raids. last August 6.

As they struggle to retain control of the Russian territory they may have occupied, Russia concentrated its soldiers and equipment to carry out its counter-offensive .

It is stated that this envisages the deployment of some 50,000 Russian troops, in addition to around 10,000 North Korean recruits .

The importance of this area lies in the fact that could be vital for any possible negotiations according to different analysts.

The President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump promised throughout his campaign to immediately end the conflict .

Although he has not publicly commented on the details of how he plans to do so, sources familiar with the matter told the Washington Post that said in private who would support a deal in which Russia would retain part of captured Ukrainian territory .

In this possible scenario, Control of Kursk could give Kyiv greater negotiating power .

On Wednesday, November 20, it was reported that Ukraine fired British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russian territory just one day after attacking the Bryansk region with ATACMS of American origin.

An official who spoke on condition of anonymity said to Reuters that the offensive actually took place, although a spokesperson for the Ukrainian General Staff said he still had no information about it .

According to initial reports shared by Russian war correspondents on Telegram, The attack allegedly took place precisely in the Kursk region .