The British Ministry of Defense announced, Monday (06.06.2022), that the United Kingdom will provide Ukraine with missile launchers with a range of up to 80 kilometers to counter the Russian attack.
The ministry said in a statement that the M270 MLRS systems “will significantly increase the capabilities of the Ukrainian forces.”
The decision came in close coordination with Washington, which announced last week the supply of HIMARS equipment with a range of 80 km, ie multiple rocket launchers mounted on light armored vehicles.
The Ukrainians had been calling for rocket launchers for some time so that they could attack Russian positions while clearing their batteries far from the front.
Long range missile launcher
However, US President Joe Biden has ruled out providing Ukraine with long-range missile launch systems that could reach Russia, despite repeated requests from Kyiv for such weapons, to prevent the United States from being seen as a belligerent.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Sunday that Moscow would attack new targets if the West provided long-range missiles, saying current arms shipments were aimed at “prolonging the conflict”.
Britain’s Defense Secretary, Ben Wallace, defended “if the international community maintains its support, Ukraine can win.”
He added that “Russia’s strategy is changing, and our support must also change,” stressing that the new weapons will allow the Ukrainians “to better protect themselves from the brutal use of long-range artillery, which Putin’s forces have used indiscriminately to destroy cities.” Now more than 750 million pounds ($937 million, 874 million euros).
mg (AFP, Reuters)
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