US discusses sending anti-ship missiles to Ukraine, denies plan to attack Black Sea Fleet
Anton Herashchenko, an official adviser to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, tweeted on the evening of May 19, “America is preparing a plan to destroy the Black Sea Fleet”, thanks to the effective efforts of Ukraine against Russian ships.
Heraschenko also said that the two sides are discussing the transfer of US anti-ship weapons to Ukraine, including Harpoon attack missiles.
Asked about Ukraine’s statement on May 20, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters: “I can say with certainty that it is absolutely not true.”
However, Kirby did not refute subsequent claims by Herashchenko – and confirmed to several news outlets by unnamed US officials – that the US was considering sending dedicated anti-ship Harpoon missiles with a range of 200 miles. in future arms shipments to Ukraine.
There are many optimists who believe that these new weapons will fundamentally change the naval landscape in the ongoing war.
But some concerns have arisen about whether sending those specific weapons would trigger a reaction from Russia against American ships or interests in the region.
“We are talking to the Ukrainians every day,” Kirby added, revealing that Defense Minister Lloyd Austin spoke with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov on the morning of May 20. “When we have a decision, we will announce it immediately.”
Control of the seas off Ukraine’s coast has become one of the most important issues facing Western officials in backing the government in Kyiv against Russia. Despite some successes in recent weeks – notably the sinking of the Russian warship Mosvka – Russian warships have been successful in putting pressure on Ukraine.
Mr. Kirby said that Russian ships, both surface ships and submarines are still present in the Black Sea, although not as close to the Ukrainian coast as before. “From a maritime perspective, they continue to be able to block off major Ukrainian ports, like Odessa,” Kirby said. “Still economically inaccessible.”
British intelligence confirmed this week that Russian President Vladimir Putin had fired an admiral overseeing the activities of the Black Sea Fleet following the sinking of the Moskva ship. If true, this is another shocker among the Russian military leadership regarding the invasion of Ukraine.
On May 19, Russia announced that the Admiral Makarov frigate would take over as flagship of the Black Sea Fleet after the sinking of the Moskva ship – believed to be from a missile attack that Ukraine has claimed to have recognized.
Ukrainian and Western media reported two weeks ago that the Makarov was hit by a Ukrainian Neptune missile near Snake Island, but it turned out to be fake news.
at Blogtuan.info – Source: danviet.vn – Read the original article here