General Ben Hodges, a retired Lieutenant General and former commanding general of the United States Army Europe, asserts that isolating and rendering Crimea untenable are crucial steps towards its liberation.
Former U.S. General Ben Hodges emphasizes that the potential deployment of long-range ATACMS to Ukraine could have a significant impact on Kyiv’s efforts to reclaim Crimea
While an unnamed U.S. official mentioned that the inclusion of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) is being considered in an upcoming security package for Kyiv, a final decision remains pending.
ATACMS, with a range of up to 190 miles, would extend Ukrainian forces’ striking capabilities beyond the reach of currently supplied rocket systems. Former U.S. General Ben Hodges, along with other military leaders, has advocated for the provision of long-range systems to assist Kyiv in retaking Crimea, which was annexed by Moscow in 2014.
These systems could target key facilities on the peninsula, including command centers, logistics hubs, and air bases
Former U.S. General Ben Hodges also pointed out that if Germany agrees to provide its Taurus cruise missiles, Crimea’s strategic significance for Russian forces, particularly the Black Sea Fleet, would be greatly diminished. While the U.S. has been cautious about supplying ATACMS to Ukraine to avoid escalating the conflict, the U.K. and France have provided similar Storm Shadow missiles.
President Joe Biden indicated in May that the possibility of Ukraine acquiring ATACMS was still under consideration. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated in August that any deployment of long-range missiles, including ATACMS, would be limited to Ukraine’s own territory. This development coincides with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s announcement of a new $1 billion military aid package for Ukraine during his surprise visit to Kyiv.
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