The United States has been providing Ukraine with long-range ballistic missiles, according to US officials. The missiles were included in a package of military support sent to Ukraine in March, and have been used twice by the Ukrainian military. The Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) have a range of up to 300 kilometers, nearly double the range of the mid-range ATACMS that the US began sending to Ukraine late last year. Washington had been hesitant to provide the longer-range weapon to Ukraine, as there were concerns that they could be used to target areas deep inside Russian territory and escalate the conflict. However, in February, President Biden approved the delivery of the missiles, and a significant number were included in a $300 million aid package that was announced the following month.
The delivery of the missiles was not announced publicly, as the US and Ukraine wanted to maintain operational security. The State Department spokesman, Vedant Patel, said that the delivery had not been announced “in order to maintain operational security for Ukraine at their request”. Neither official confirmed the number of ATACMS sent.
The ATACMS were used on April 17 to strike an airfield in Dzhankoi, Crimea, which Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014. They were also used this week against Russian forces in southeastern Ukraine, near the occupied city of Berdyansk.
The US military believes that the time is right to provide these weapons to Ukraine. The weapons were sent on the condition that they be used only inside Ukrainian sovereign territory. The US official told the Reuters news agency that it was Russia’s use of North Korean-supplied long-range ballistic missiles against Ukraine in December and January that led to the change of heart. Russia’s continued targeting of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure was also a concern.
The US military believes that the ATACMS will help Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression. The weapons will give Ukraine the ability to strike targets that were previously out of reach, and will help to protect Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure. The ATACMS are expected to play a major role in the ongoing conflict, as Ukraine continues to fight for its independence.
