US Will Supply Long-range Cruise Missiles For Ukraine

Ukrainian Military/PHOTO via Instagram @ukraine_defence

JAKARTA - The United States (US) is close to reaching an agreement to give Ukraine a long-range cruise missile. But Kyiv will need to wait a few months as the US is addressing technical issues before delivery.

Reported by Reuters on Tuesday, September 3, the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) in the arms package is expected to be announced this fall, three sources said, although a final decision has not yet been made. The source declined to be named because they were not authorized to discuss the topic.

Sending JASSM to Ukraine could significantly change the strategic landscape of the conflict by placing more Russian territory within a strong precision guided ammunition range, which is an important concern of the Biden administration, officials said.

Military analysts have suggested the introduction of JASSM - which is stealth and can strike further than most other missiles in Ukraine's current inventory - could push Russian supply areas and depots back hundreds of miles.

This will greatly complicate Russia's ability to maintain its offensive operations and potentially provide Ukraine with strategic benefits.

The launch from points near Ukraine's northern border with Russia could allow it to attack military installations as far away as Russian cities such as Voronezh and Bryansk.

In the southern region, launching long-range cruise missiles near the front line could allow attacks on airfields or naval facilities in Crimea.