The Biden administration is close to approving the shipment of longer-range missiles packed with cluster bombs to Ukraine. Reuters writes about this with reference to American officials.
Washington is considering shipping either or both Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) that can fly up to 306 km, or Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles with a 45-mile range packed with cluster bombs.
If approved, either option would be available for rapid shipment to Kyiv.
The decision to send ATACMS or GMLRS, or both, is not final and could still fall through.
Ukraine is currently equipped with 155 mm artillery with a maximum range of 28 km carrying up to 48 bomblets. The ATACMS under consideration would propel around 300 or more 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.
Earlier, the British newspaper Financial Times reported that US President Joe Biden was approaching a decision to provide Ukraine with long-range missiles.