The moment when "Hippocampus" launched the ATACMS tactical missile.

(Taken from the official website of the US Army)

[Compilation of Chen Chengliang/Comprehensive Report] The United States has repeatedly stated that at this stage it will not provide artillery with a range of more than 80 kilometers for Ukrainian troops to launch from the "Hippocampus" High Mobility Multiple Rocket System (HIMARS), and it has also rejected Ukraine. Request, unwilling to provide MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile with a range of 300 km.

However, in fact, the United States has secretly modified the "Hippocampus" system that aided Ukraine. Even if Kyiv got the ATACMS missile, it would be useless.

The Wall Street Journal reported that, according to U.S. officials, the United States secretly modified the "Hippocampus" so that it could not be used to launch long-range missiles at Russia. The Biden administration said this precaution would reduce the risk of a larger war with Moscow. is necessary.

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Since June this year, the United States has provided the Ukrainian army with 20 sets of "Hippocampus" and a large number of "Guided Multiple Launch Rockets" (GMLRS) with a range of nearly 80 kilometers, which are used to strike Russia's ammunition depots on Ukrainian territory. , logistics supply and command center.

But Hippocampus has a unique feature designed to prevent it from becoming a more powerful battlefield system.

The Pentagon has modified the launchers to disable long-range missiles, including ATACMS tactical missiles, U.S. officials said.

The previously undisclosed modification shows the Biden administration's efforts to balance its support for the Ukrainian military with the risk of escalating tensions with Moscow, the report said.

It also reflects Washington's concern that Ukraine may no longer abide by its pledge not to strike Russian territory with U.S.-supplied weapons.

The Pentagon declined to comment on the modifications, which U.S. officials said involved both software and hardware.

In July, the Pentagon stated that at this stage, it will not provide artillery with a range of more than 80 kilometers for the "Hippocampus" to launch.

Mark Milley, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, also said that the range of the Ukrainian rockets currently provided is sufficient, and the Ukrainian army has reached its target very effectively. The U.S. will not provide the "Hippocampus" with a longer range at this stage. ammunition.

Anatoly Antonov, Russia's ambassador to the United States, warned the United States in September that the delivery of ATACMS missiles to Kyiv could lead to a war between Russia and the United States.