SS-21 Scarab "Tochka ballistic missile. DW/AP
Conflicting reports out of Ukraine claim that the country has used ballistic missiles on the rebels. -Deutsche Welle A CNN report broke the story on the 29th, claiming that U.S. officials had proof that Ukraine had fired Tochka (NATO reporting name SS-21 Scarab) missiles at rebel positions via U.S reconnaissance. If true the use of surface to surface ballistic missiles is a major escalation in the conflict. However, Ukraine has vigorously denied these claims, and after initially confirming the reports, NATO's spokesperson in Kiev has denied any use of the weapon.
The original Barbra Starr CNN report can be found here.
My Comment:
More conflicting information from this conflict. I don't think this is shoddy reporting by CNN. In my opinion Ukraine probably did use these weapons and is lying through their teeth. The fact that it was the United States saying it, at first at least, lends credence to that theory. It is a serious escalation and if true it shows how desperate the Ukrainians are to break the backs of the rebels before winter comes. I also wonder if they were firing at legit military targets or just shooting at whatever suits them. Apparently the missile is fairly accurate so whatever they hit was what they were shooting at. Unfortunately, neither report had any info on where they were used and what the target was other then speculation from pro-Russian rebels. The fog of war strikes again.
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