The US secretly modified HIMARS rocket launchers sent to Ukraine to stop them being fired deep into Russia and escalating the war, Pentagon officials say
- Officials say US modified missile launcher to prevent it firing long-range rockets
- The HIMARS launcher is credited as a game changer after being sent to Ukraine
- But Russia has repeatedly warned it risked crossing a ‘red line’ in the conflict
- The launcher can fire missiles with a range of 200 miles
- But officials said the system had been limited to shorter range weapons
The U.S. modified H.I.M.A.R.S. rocket launchers before sending them to Ukraine to prevent them firing long-range missiles into Russia, and widening the war, according to defense officials.
The Highly Mobile Artillery Rocket Systems are self-propelled launchers, equipped with a missile pod that can fire a range of different weapons.
Washington has sent 20 launchers, which have been credited with helping Ukraine push back Russian invaders.
However, they were first modified to be unable to fire Army Tactical Weapons System rockets (A.T.A.C.M.S.), which have a range of 200 miles.
U.S. officials said High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems had been modified to limit their range before being shipped to Ukrainian forces. PICTURED: The Ukrainian army fires a H.I.M.A.R.S. launcher close to the frontline at the northern Kherson region, Ukraine, on 05 November 2022
Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, Defense Department spokesman, would not comment on the report because of ‘operational security considerations’
Details were reported by the Wall Street Journal, and the Pentagon declined to comment.
‘Due to operational security considerations, we do not comment publicly on the configuration of systems provided to allies and partners,’ said Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, Defense Department spokesman.
‘The United States remains committed to providing Ukraine the capabilities it needs to counter Russian aggression.’
The U.S. has so far steered clear of supplying Ukraine with A.T.A.C.M.S., but the modification reportedly means that Kyiv cannot use long-range weapons even if they can source them independently.
The changes reflect Washington’s shifting position on arming Ukraine, and internal debates in how far it should go in arming Kyiv.
That has involved removing classified components from some weapons, or limiting their range so as not to draw Russia deeper into war.
Since Russia massed forces to invade Ukraine in February, the U.S. has gradually expanded the types of weapons it has been willing to provide to Kyiv beyond the shoulder-fired Javelin antitank missiles Ukraine first received during the Trump administration.
H.I.M.A.R.S. launchers can fire a number of different rockets. Some can reach up to 200 miles
Russia has repeatedly warned the Biden administration it risked escalating the level of Moscow’s response if it armed Ukraine with weapons capable of reaching Russia.
When reports that H.I.M.A.R.S. launchers could be sent to Ukraine in May, Olga Skabeyeva, known as one of Putin’s chief propagandists, took to the airwaves to issue a warning.
She said on state TV: ‘If the Americans do that, they’ll clearly be crossing a red line. We’ll have witnessed an attempt to provoke a very harsh response from Russia.’
Details of the modifications emerged on another bloody day in Ukraine.
Kyiv said Russia destroyed homes in the southeast and knocked out power in many areas with a fresh volley of missiles.
At the same time Moscow said Ukrainian drones were to blame for explosions at two air bases deep inside Russia, hundreds of miles from front lines.
The Russian defense ministry said the attacks killed three servicemen, wounded four and damaged two aircraft.
An explosion struck the Engels-2 airbase near the Russian city of Saratov this morning, leaving two long-range bombers damaged
The attack comes a week after satellite images revealed Russian bombers at the airport were being armed with cruise missiles for a likely attack on Ukraine’s energy network
One of the targets, the Engels air base about 100 miles from Moscow, is home to bomber planes of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces.
Meanwhile the strikes in Ukraine came just as blackouts were ending, plunging parts of the country back into darkness with temperatures now well below freezing.
However Kyiv said its air defenses had shot down most of the missiles.
White House spokesman John Kirby condemned the latest attacks.
‘That’s just another example of the brutality here that Putin continues to visit upon the Ukrainian people,’ he said.
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