Report: Ukraine’s Rocket Campaign Reliant on US Precision Targeting

Facts

• On Thursday, the Washington Post — citing unnamed Ukrainian officials — reported that the country uses coordinates provided or confirmed by the US and its allies for the majority of strikes using its advanced US-provided rocket systems.
• A Ukrainian official added that its forces almost never launch the advanced rockets without coordinates from the US. An anonymous US official corroborated Washington’s alleged role, saying that the assistance helps to ensure accuracy and conserve ammunition. The official added that Ukraine doesn’t seek US approval for its strikes.
• Amid questions about its role in Ukrainian strikes, senior Pentagon officials also highlighted that the US — which reportedly doesn't always provide coordinates upon request — isn't associated with the 'selection or engagement of targets.
• The US-provided High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) have been a crucial weapon used to push back Russian forces. Ukrainian troops notably used HIMARS to carry out a deadly strike in the eastern city of Makiivka earlier this year.
• This comes as Ukraine is requesting more powerful ammunition in the form of US-made Army Tactical Missiles Systems (ATACMS), which would make the HIMARS more lethal with greater range. The Biden admin., however, has declined this request.
• Some speculate that Ukraine would use ATACMS to target Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. The US recently approved the purchase and delivery of another GPS-guided munition, the ground-launched small-diameter bomb, or GLSDB, that can travel more than 90 miles and be launched from HIMARS.²

Sources: ¹Israel National News, ²Washington Post and ³Business Insider.

Narratives

• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by AntiWar. It's clear that US involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war runs far deeper than it claims and that the Pentagon is engaged in a proxy war against Moscow. The US has had a say in Ukraine’s strikes, adding credibility to Russia’s concerns about the US and NATO being key contributors to the conflict.
• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Washington Post. The US has — and always will — back Ukraine in its fight to stave off Vladimir Putin’s brutal invasion. Washington — which has clear rules and controls regarding intelligence-sharing with Ukraine — has provided missiles to Ukraine and offers assistance when asked but, despite claims to the contrary, has stopped short of becoming directly involved. Ukraine has the final say on where it conducts its strikes, and US coordinates are merely used to enhance precision.