UKRAINE is looking to its Western allies to finally give them the green light to hit Vladimir Putin with more powerful weapons to help turn the tide of war.
The US allowed Ukraine to use longer-range missiles this week with the move reportedly also inspiring others to reconsider their stance and allowing Volodymyr Zelensky’s men to attack on all fronts.
10
President Joe Biden granted Ukraine their long waited wish when he approved longer-range ATACMS missiles for use in Ukraine.
These weapons have a 190 miles range and have allowed Kyiv to strike deeper into Russia than they have ever previously been able to.
Biden also approved the use of anti-personal land mines, which spark often fatal explosions in battle.
Footage has emerged that appears to show Ukraine launching one of these ATACMS missiles into Russia.
The president has made this u-turn on longer-range missiles just weeks before he is set to hand over The White House to Donald Trump.
Ukraine has already taken aim and fired six of the US-made ATACMS missiles at Russian territory.
Five were shot down and one was damaged, causing no casualties.
British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles have also been seen in Russia for the first time in the war today – despite the UK still not giving formal permission.
Fragments of the powerful missile were found in the village of Marine, Kursk it is understood.
The move comes just days after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hinted at allowing Ukraine to fire Storm Shadow’s into Russia.
Ukraine will hope it is given the green light to use other war weapons by the US and its allies as they look to finally nail Putin and stop his European rampage.
Taurus missiles
These weapons are German made long-range missiles that are particularly powerful.
They have a range of 311 miles which is longer than both the ATACMS, at 190 miles, and the Storm Shadows, at just 155 miles.
Despite this, Germany’s chancellor Olaf Scholz has so far refused to send these rockets to its ally.
Scholz told press at the G20 summit in Brazil that it would only be possible for Ukraine to use these rockets if both countries were to take responsibility for it, according to The Telegraph.
He said: “That is something that I cannot be responsible for, and don’t want to be responsible for.”
VAMPIRE missiles
These European-made weapons are a short-range air defence system.
They could protect important buildings from Russian cruise missiles and drones, according to RAND.
10
10
10
The weapons have a range of around 620 miles and a top speed of 56 miles per hour.
VAMPIRE rocket launchers have previously been used by Ukraine to hit the Russian city of Belgorod, The Sun has previously reported.
This strike on 30 August, 2024, killed five people and injured at least 46.
A series of rapid-fire explosions hit the city and houses and buildings burnt in a fiery inferno.
PATRIOT missiles
These US-made weapons are air defence interceptors.
Ukraine could use these to counter ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft.
They have a range of 42 miles and are an all-altitude and all-weather system.
These missiles are already used by some European countries like Poland, Sweden, and Romania.
Ukraine reportedly used the PATRIOT system to shoot down a Russian jet and other aircraft in May, 2023, The Sun previously reported.
Two jets, a Su-34 and Su-35, and two Mi-8 military helicopters were said to have been shot out of the sky over the Bryansk region.
10
10
10
SAMP/T defence system
This European-made network uses Aster missiles.
It is the continent’s domestic ballistic missile defence system.
SAMP/T is designed to protect against medium and long-range missiles which could be important as the war continues to intensify.
It has a range of over 62 miles.
France and Italy both ordered the next generation of this system in September, according to DefenseNews.
These European powerhouses have sought better protection against external threats.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron warned in 2023 that his European counterpart needed to buy air-defence systems following the invasion of Ukraine.
GMLRS missiles
These US-made weapons are precision strike missiles, which could give Zelensky’s men more accuracy in their attacks.
This system can hold six rockets per launch pod.
Its manufacturer said this weapon had an over 98 percent success rate.
This system was first used by the US in the 1991 Gulf War.
10
10
