WW3 fears as US gives Ukraine long-range missiles that can strike deep in Russia

The US has said it is prepared to provide Ukraine with long-range missiles that would allow it to strike deep behind Russian lines, raising fears of escalation.

US President Joe Biden announced his intentions in a bid to help Ukraine keep up its ongoing counteroffensive. US media outlets have reported that officials well-versed in the issue reckon Kyiv will be getting ATACMS missiles with a range of up to 190 miles (300km).

The news follows an ongoing trend of Russian targets behind the lines being hit, with Russia’s Crimea-based Black Sea fleet- headquarters struck on Friday (September 22) by two Ukrainian missiles.

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According to sources who spoke to the BBC, the attacks were carried out by Britain and France-supplied Storm Shadow missiles, which have a range of 150 miles meaning the new US-provided weapons will add considerable distance to Ukraine’s ability to hit targets further away.

An unnamed source was quoted by both the Wall Street Journal and NBC News claiming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was told by Biden that Ukraine would be getting a “small number” of the new ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missiles. The weapons will be sent in the coming weeks, it has been reported.

After a recent meeting between the two about weapon supplies, Zelensky said: "I believe that most of what we were discussing with President Biden yesterday… we will be able to reach an agreement".

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