US secretly supplies Ukraine with long-range missiles

In an important development, the U.S. announced Ukraine has begun using long-range ballistic missiles secretly supplied by the U.S. to target a Russian military airfield in Crimea and Russian forces in another occupied territory. This statement was made by American officials on Wednesday.

The new missiles, eagerly sought by Ukrainian officials, double Ukraine's strike range to 300 kilometers, compared to the medium-range version received from the United States last October.

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed the delivery of the additional Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), part of a new military aid package signed by President Joe Biden. The delivery, included in the $300 million aid package approved in February and announced in March, demonstrates the US commitment to strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities.

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Christopher Grady underscored the strategic importance of providing Ukraine with long-range weapons, allowing them to target Russian logistical nodes and troop concentrations beyond the front lines. However, the administration remains cautious about the potential for conflict escalation and emphasizes that these weapons cannot be used to hit targets inside Russia.

While Ukrainian officials have not publicly announced the receipt or use of the long-range ATACMS, social media videos showing explosions at a military airfield in Crimea last week suggest that the weapons have been deployed.

Ukraine's move underscores the critical role of providing the right tools to achieve victory on the battlefield. In the third year of the conflict and facing delays in foreign aid approval, Ukraine is grappling with serious shortcomings in its artillery and air defense systems, increasing its vulnerability to Russian aggression.

Source: AP