By Mike StoneWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Biden administration is close to approving the shipment of longer-range missiles packed with cluster bombs to Ukraine, giving Kyiv the ability to cause significant damage deeper within Russian-occupied territory, according to four U.S. officials.
Ukraine is currently equipped with 155 millimeter artillery with a maximum range of 18 miles carrying up to 48 bomblets.
The GMLRS rocket system, a version of which Ukraine has had in its arsenal for months, would be able to disperse up to 404 cluster munitions.
The decision to send ATACMS or GMLRS, or both, is not final and could still fall through, the four sources said.
The Biden administration has for months struggled with a decision on ATACMS, fearing their shipment would be perceived as an overly aggressive move against Russia.
Persons:
Mike Stone WASHINGTON, Biden, Mike Stone, Chris Sanders, Lisa Shumaker
Organizations:
Army Tactical Missile Systems, Russian, Russia
Locations:
Ukraine, U.S, Kyiv, Washington