Where Ukrainian Forces could strike if US allows attacks on Russian territory
Photo: ATACMS missile (Getty Images)
This week, the US may allow Ukraine to use American long-range missiles to strike targets within Russia. If this occurs, Ukrainian forces could reach areas where Shahed drones and other military assets of the enemy are deployed, according to Defense Express.
Range of ATACMS missiles
Currently, Ukraine has only one type of American long-range weapon—ATACMS ballistic missiles.
The M57 version of the missile, with a unitary warhead, has a range of up to 300 km and a warhead weight of 214 kg. The M39A1 Block I, with a cluster munition warhead, has the same range of 300 km and carries a 174-kg warhead with 300 M74 submunitions.
From Ukrainian territory, with a reasonable distance from the border, the 300 km range is sufficient to target areas around Smolensk and Lipetsk.
From the front-line areas in Donbas, ATACMS can reach not only military sites such as the Millerovo and Yeysk airbases but also targets around Rostov-on-Don, as well as the known Shahed drone launch site in Primorsko-Akhtarsk.
Photo: where ATACMS will reach (defence-ua.com)
Range of AGM-158 JASSM missiles
It is known that the United States plans to provide Ukraine with AGM-158 JASSM cruise missiles. In addition, it has recently been reported that they will be transferred this fall.
These missiles are the only munition of this kind that is compatible with the F-16. The range of these cruise missiles, which have a 450-kg warhead, is up to 370 km in the basic version.
Although the range difference from ATACMS is only 70 km, this distance allows targeting areas such as Novorossiysk, the primary base for remnants of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, and sites around Krasnodar. Additionally, in the northern direction, it can reach Kaluga and Tula.
According to Defense Express, this range is the maximum for this version of the cruise missile. Its operational range may be shorter due to the complex flight path needed to evade enemy air defenses.
The AGM-158B JASSM-ER version has a range of about 900 km with similar specifications. While its transfer remains unlikely, this missile could reach areas around Saint Petersburg, Vologda, Nizhny Novgorod, Tolyatti, Astrakhan, and Grozny.
Photo: where the AGM-158 JASSM will reach (defence-ua.com)
Range of Storm Shadow missiles
The UK might also authorize the use of Storm Shadow cruise missiles against targets in Russia.
Currently, the Storm Shadow missile is the most long-range option available, with an original range of 560 km. This capability allows Ukrainian forces to strike targets as far as the Moscow area, including military facilities near cities like Tver, Ryazan, and Tambov.
In other directions, the range is sufficient to reach military sites around Sochi, Stavropol, Maykop, and Volgograd.
However, it is important to note that as a cruise missile, its effective range might be slightly shorter, as highlighted by Defense Express.
Photo: where Storm Shadow will reach (defence-ua.com)
Permission for strikes on Russian territory
It was announced today that US President Joe Biden will meet with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday, September 13. They will discuss authorizing the Armed Forces to strike deep into Russia.
The media also reported that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will soon visit Ukraine. During his visit, he is likely to announce permission for Ukrainian forces to use long-range weapons to strike targets in Russia.
