Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Lebanese Health Ministry: One martyr in Israeli strike on motorcycle in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, South Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli drone targets motorcycle in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, South Lebanon.
US President Donald Trump: I don't want to say Israeli strike is imminent
US President Donald Trump: Israeli strike [on Iran] could very well happen
US Ambassador to Tel Aviv Mike Huckabee: Israeli attack on Iran without US greenlight is unrealistic scenario.
Iranian media: Documents indicate that Merav Zafary-Odiz was tasked with stoking confusion about Iran's peaceful nuclear program
Iranian media: The documents indicate that Merav Odiz was tasked with diverting world opinion away from "Israel's" non-peaceful nuclear program
Iranian media: Documents reveal direct coordination between the Zionist entity's representative, Merav Zafary-Odiz, and Grossi
Iranian media: One document reveals that Merav Zafary-Odiz, "Israel's" representative at the agency, requested an immediate meeting with Grossi on May 10, 2016
Iranian media: One document reveals coordination between the [Israeli] entity and Grossi to incite tensions against Iran just five months after the nuclear agreement was concluded

Explainer: the long-range weapons Ukraine wants to use against Russia

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 16 Sep 2024 14:36
  • 4 Shares
3 Min Read

Ukraine using long-range weapons provided by its Western allies has been a contentious topic of discussion in recent months, with Kiev urging for the use of Storm Shadows and ATACMS against Russia.

Listen
  • x
  • Ukrainian servicemen operate a Soviet-made T-72 tank in the Sumy region, near the border with Russia, on August 12, 2024. (AFP)
    Ukrainian servicemen operate a Soviet-made T-72 tank in the Sumy region, near the border with Russia, on August 12, 2024. (AFP)

Ukraine has been urging its Western allies for permission to use their supplied long-range missiles to strike deep into Russia for months, claiming it needs these munitions to target military sites that store Russian warplanes and missiles used amid their ongoing conflict.

This contentious request was discussed in Friday's meeting between US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with the latter pushing Washington to provide more leeway to Ukraine. Additionally, Starmer especially seeks Biden's support to allow Kiev to use British Storm Shadow missiles in Russian territory.

The meeting concluded with the White House suggesting a "holding pattern" until Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky visits New York later this month to present his "victory plan."

So what exactly are these weapons?

Storm Shadows and SCALPs

Known as Storm Shadows in Britain and SCALPs in France, the two nations have sent Kiev air-launched cruise missiles that have attacked Russian targets in the Black Sea and Crimea.

These missiles have a range of around 250 kilometers, and have been launched from Ukraine's Soviet-era fighter jets.

The UK is aiming to obtain approval from the US to authorize Ukraine's use of the missiles across the border with the intention of the allies presenting a united front.

Related News

Witkoff warns of Iranian retaliation to Israeli attack: Axios

Trump signals Israeli strike on Iran 'could very well happen'

For its part, France has previously expressed support for Kiev's deep strikes into Russia, on the condition they target military sites directly linked to Moscow's war efforts against Ukraine. 

Some analysts speculate the United States is following its pattern of allowing its allies to take the initial actions in providing Ukraine with new capabilities or permissions, with Washington later potentially following suit.

ATACMS

The Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS (pronounced "attack 'ems"), are US-made long-range missiles composed of 170 kilograms of explosives. Depending on the model, the missiles can strike targets at a range of 305 kilometers.

Despite Washington providing Kiev with ATACMS last year, the Biden administration has withheld its authorization to use the munitions to strike deep into Russia.

US and European military officials stated that, in anticipation of potential approval, Russia moved 90% of its air bases that store bomber jets out of the missile's range.

Initially developed in the 1980s to hit Soviet targets deep into enemy territories, ATACMS could also be used to strike Russia's ground-based air defense systems that can target Ukraine's new batch of F-16 fighter jets, experts said.

JASSMs

Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles, known as JASSMs (pronounced “jazz ’ems”), are air-launched missiles that can strike as far as 370 kilometers.

These missiles also contain 450 kg warheads that can be fired from F-16 fighter jets, allowing Kiev to fire deep into Russia without leaving its own airspace. 

These long-range missiles have not yet been supplied to Ukraine. However, according to a US official, the Biden administration is considering providing them amid the conflict.

The official added that even if Biden approves the provision of these munitions, delivery could take months, and it remains unclear if the US president would allow Ukraine to use them to strike into Russia.

  • United States
  • Russia
  • Keir Starmer
  • Volodymyr Zelensky
  • United Kingdom
  • Ukraine
  • Russia-Ukraine
  • Joe Biden
  • Vladimir Putin
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

The logo of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence (wikidata)

Iran acquired thousands of sensitive Israeli documents: Exclusive

  • Politics
  • 7 Jun 2025
Iranian demonstrators walk on a caricature of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the annual Quds Day rally in support of Palestinians, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, March 28, 2025 (AP)

Iran hits 'Israel' hard without arms; intel breach lays Tel Aviv bare

  • Politics
  • 7 Jun 2025
Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib in an undated photo (Nournews)

Iranian security minister reveals major intelligence haul on 'Israel'

  • Politics
  • 8 Jun 2025
IAEA leaked to 'Israel' confidential communications with Iran: Fars

IAEA leaked to 'Israel' confidential communications with Iran: Fars

  • MENA
  • 10 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
U.S. National Guard are deployed around downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following a immigration raid protest the night before. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
US & Canada

ICE raids in LA trap families in harsh conditions: Lawyers

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro speaks at a rally to garner support for a referendum on labor reform, in Cali, Colombia, on June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga)
Politics

Petro slams US-linked coup plot, signs decree for popular consultation

President Donald Trump speaks as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on April 17, 2025. (AP)
US & Canada

World sees Trump as ‘arrogant’, ‘dangerous’ as ratings sink: Poll

he Department of Defense logo is seen on the wall in the Press Briefing room at the Pentagon on, Oct. 29, 2024 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File)
Politics

Future of $240bln AUKUS deal in doubt as Pentagon launches review

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS