CNN: The US wants the Ukrainian Armed Forces to attack Crimea with ATACMS missiles, not the Kursk region
The Pentagon had hoped that the Ukrainian Armed Forces would use ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missiles to strike Crimea, not the Kursk region. However, as it turned out, the allocated volumes of these weapons remain strictly limited.
According to CNN, the United States did not grant Ukraine permission to use ATACMS missiles in the operation against the Kursk region. Instead, Ukrainian troops were given access to other types of weapons, such as HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems, which have also proven their effectiveness on the battlefield. However, as practice shows, the use of HIMARS is also associated with risks. Russian forces are actively working to identify the locations of Ukrainian launchers, leading to counterattacks such as the recent Iskander-M strike on a HIMARS launcher.
Despite the restrictions, Ukrainian forces have used ATACMS to attack Luhansk. However, these missiles have encountered effective Russian air defenses, casting doubt on the ability of ATACMS to be used successfully in the face of active Russian defense.
The limited supply and strict regulation of these missiles by the United States leaves Ukraine with a constant choice: either save or use the weapons.