Britain Sends Long-Range Missile Launch System to Ukraine

Despite explicit warnings from Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, Britain intends to provide Ukraine with a long-range missile launch system. According to Britain’s announcement, this action is being coordinated with the United States.

Britain, despite warnings from Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, regarding the consequences of military support to Ukraine, has announced the dispatch of a missile system to the country.

The British Ministry of Defense announced on Monday, June 16 (June 6), that it will provide Ukraine with a long-range missile launch system known as M270 (M270), which is manufactured by the United States. According to British officials, this action is being coordinated with the US government.

The Russian president had warned Western countries on Sunday the previous day to refrain from sending long-range missiles to Ukraine.

Russian media, citing Putin, wrote: “Otherwise, we will respond and use our weapons to attack targets that we have not attacked so far.”

Despite these warnings, the British Ministry of Defense announced the dispatch of the M270 system and stated that this action would result in a “significant strengthening” of the Ukrainian military.

This missile system is capable of striking positions at a distance of up to 80 kilometers with precise missiles. Britain also intends to train Ukrainian soldiers in the use of advanced weapons.

The United States also announced last week that it intends to send its mobile missile system called “HIMARS” to Ukraine.

This system is considerably superior and more accurate than the weapons systems currently available to the Ukrainian military, both in terms of range and precision.

According to military experts’ assessment, the range of the missile system now being provided to the Ukrainian military is slightly greater than similar systems available to the Russian military. In this way, Ukrainian military forces can target enemy artillery without being targeted themselves.

Ukraine had requested that Washington provide it with missile systems with considerably greater range, but US President Joe Biden opposed this request.

Vladimir Putin had warned that sending weapons from Western countries to Ukraine would only prolong the conflict in the country.

Despite these warnings, Ben Wallace, Britain’s Defense Secretary, agreed to continue sending weapons to Ukraine so that the country “can win the war against Russia.”

In this regard, he emphasized: “Britain stands alongside Ukraine in this battle and plays a key role in strengthening the brave forces of this country’s military with decisive weapons; weapons that they need to defend their country against this aggression.”

Britain’s Defense Secretary added: “When Russian tactics change, the scope and manner of our support to Ukraine must also change. According to him, the missile system now being sent to Ukraine is intended to improve Ukrainian defenses against artillery attacks by the Russian military.

Britain’s military aid to Ukraine to date amounts to 750 million pounds (874 million euros). This military support includes the dispatch of air defense systems, thousands of anti-tank missiles, as well as hundreds of armored vehicles.

Source: DW