For the past few months, Ukrainian politicians, mass media, and influencers alike have been pushing the narrative that the White House must grant Ukraine's forces permission to use the ATACMS ballistic missile systems for strikes on the territory of russia. Allegedly, that way, Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure will be safe from missile attacks launched by russian strategic aviation, such as Tu-95MS bombers or MiG-31K aircraft, the carriers of Kh-47 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles.
There are many reasons why removing the restrictions will be advantageous for the Ukrainian Defense Forces. However, this particular claim sounds illogical because, to begin with, the range of ATACMS is not nearly enough to reach the airfields where the said Tu-95MS are stationed.
Read more: Ukrainian Drones Target russian Strategic Bomber Base During the Attack on Ukraine (Videos)
Let's compare: the most advanced ATACMS missiles in the M57 version have a maximum range of 300 kilometers (~185 mi); whereas the Engels and Savasleyka airfields hosting Tu-95MS strategic bombers and MiG-31K aircraft, respectively, are both located just under 700 kilometers from the state border of Ukraine.
Then, the Olenya airfield, currently the main base used by the russian strategic aviation for massive strikes on Ukraine, is as far as 1,800 kilometers from the border with Ukraine.
In other words, no matter what, ATACMS missiles would simply be unable to reach these key air bases and destroy the strategic aircraft itself, which would definitely be a much more reliable solution than intercepting incoming cruise missiles in the Ukrainian skies.
That being said, permission to use ATACMS for strikes on russian territory is still important. For example, they will enable a quick response to russian redeployments and strike the concentrations of forces, especially those looming over the northern regions of Ukraine.
Now, speaking of the types of long-range missiles that will actually be capable of reaching the strategic airfields and wiping out the carriers, so they can no longer shell Ukrainian cities, the United States has just the solution needed.
Ideally, Ukraine should be asking for or offering to buy Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles in the ground-launched version. Moreover, the U.S. Army has such a system, it's called Typhon Mid-Range Capability, in service since 2023. Although the number of Typhon batteries available is limited to only two units.
But that is exactly why we say this is the "ideal" option, to put it in the perspective that have proven rather fruitful so far: ask for the maximum, and you'll at least get something. In this case, one of the realistically obtainable options is to request the transfer or purchase of AGM-158B JASSM-ER air-to-surface extended range missiles that can hit a target 900 kilometers from the release point, thus effectively reaching Engels and Savasleika airfields.
Read more: Ukraine Working With U.S. on a Substitute For S-300 and R-27 is the Most Important Result of Ramstein Meeting
