US Considering Supplying Ukraine with Long-Range Cluster Munitions
The United States of America is contemplating the possibility of providing Kyiv with cluster munitions for long-range rocket artillery with a greater reach.
This information has been reported by The Washington Post.
"Assessing the likelihood of the conflict continuing, representatives of the Biden administration are exploring several new vital ways to enhance Western support. In Washington, for instance, there is growing support for furnishing cluster munitions for rocket artillery that can strike deeper targets than the artillery versions the United States began delivering last month," states the article.
As former US Army officer and ex-adviser to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Dan Rice, explained, long-range rocket projectiles armed with cluster munitions are a key to overcoming Russia's layered defense.
The publication notes that the summer's counteroffensive was disappointing and somewhat disheartening for Ukraine and its Western backers. However, instead of seeking a quick diplomatic exit, most high-ranking US officials seem more convinced than ever of the necessity to continue supporting Kyiv. In their view, the United States cannot abandon its ally.
"We don't believe the conflict has hit a dead-end," said National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to journalists when the media reported that unnamed senior officials expressed pessimism about Ukraine's progress. "We see Ukraine continuing to capture territories in a methodical, systematic manner," he added.
Simultaneously, it's noted that Ukraine and its supporters continue advocating for the long-range ATACMS missiles, which could target objects deep within Russian territory. Yet, the Pentagon fears that the United States might not have sufficient ATACMS missiles to supply Ukraine without undermining their own preparedness for a potential future conflict with China.
The United States is also actively engaged in planning Ukraine's future military capabilities to deter further Russian aggression. F-16 fighter jets, set to arrive in a few months, will be part of this effort. However, US officials are collaborating with allies on numerous other armament systems and training.
As reported by The Gaze, on July 7th, the US announced a military assistance package of $800 million for Ukraine, which included cluster munitions for the first time. These munitions were intended to temporarily address the shortage of artillery shells.
Starting from July 20th, the Ukrainian Armed Forces began using them on the battlefield, and as Western media reported, the cluster munitions provided a new impetus to Ukraine's counteroffensive.