Will attack «new targets» if the US sends missile system – VG

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“If such missiles are delivered, we will attack the targets we have not yet met,” Putin said in an interview with state television channel Rossiya-1.

The statements were published on Sunday by several Russian news agencies.

US President Joe Biden has promised Ukraine that he will contribute more advanced missile systems that can hit Russian targets up to 80 kilometers away. The missile systems are part of another new $ 700 million weapons package from the United States.

Rocket supplies from the United States can double Ukraine’s weapon range. The advanced missile systems will allow Ukrainian forces to defend Russian artillery systems.

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These may be the “new” goals

– I think Putin intends to attack Ukrainian infrastructure needed to bring the new weapons from Western Ukraine to the front line in Eastern Ukraine.

This is what Jakub M. Godzimirski, researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Foreign Policy (NUPI), says. He has worked with Russian foreign and security policy for over 20 years, and follows Putin and the Ukraine war closely.

“It is obvious that Putin is dissatisfied with the fact that NATO is supplying Ukraine with weapons,” said the Russia expert.

Putin will intensify attacks on critical infrastructure in an attempt to halt arms supplies on Ukrainian soil. I do not think it is about attacking targets in NATO countries. Because it could involve a war against NATO, and he is probably not that interested in that, Godzimirski says.

Specifically, the Russia expert believes that there is probably talk of attacks on roads, railway lines and bridges.

– Putin has threatened this before, and implemented before – without stopping Ukraine. These attacks cost a lot, and the damage inflicted can be easily repaired.

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USA: Should not be shot into Russia

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that Ukraine has given assurances that the weapons will not be used to hit targets inside Russia.

The rocket system in question is HIMARS, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems.

“These systems will be used by Ukraine to repel Russian advance on Ukrainian territory, but they will not be used against Russia,” an unnamed official told Reuters earlier this week.

The system is according to CNN the most advanced Ukraine has received until now. By comparison, Howitzer, sent by the United States in April, has a range of up to 25 kilometers.

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