A battery of U.S. provided M270 MLRS fires ATACMS towards Russian positions in Crimea. The MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System is a tactical ballistic missile system fired from the MLRS platform. Earlier this year, the U.S. eased restrictions prohibiting these weapons from being used against targets in occupied Crimea. Other footage has surfaced of frightened Russian tourists on a beach in Sevastopol, and the Kremlin has claimed that ATACMS was used to target innocent civilians. Kyiv counters that ATACMS was directed against military targets, and that the beachgoers were stuck by pieces of a Russian anti-air missile used to intercept the Ukrainian ATACMS. Of course, there is also the argument that Crimea is Ukrainian territory as is contested, and that Russian civilians in Crimea accept risk by remaining there. I for one will not be taking my kids to the beach and planting my umbrella next to an S-400 anti-air battery.

About the Author

Cam

Cam served as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps, deploying to the Horn of Africa and participating in combat operations in Iraq. He currently works in the maritime industry and in the defense sector as an instructor of combined arms planning and operations. An avid sailor, Cam founded and directs Triumph Sailing, a nonprofit that supports veterans and first responders through adventure and fellowship on the water. Triumph Sailing is preparing for the 2024 season of sailing on Galveston Bay and in the Gulf of Mexico. You can support the mission and next year's sailing season at Tri-Sail.Org.