The U.S. has discreetly sent a limited batch of long-range ballistic missiles to Ukraine, as confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
He acknowledged their precise use against Russian forces and expressed gratitude to the U.S. for the support. Although the U.S. hasn’t publicly addressed this shipment, insiders have verified the delivery.
This boosts Ukraine’s capability to engage distant Russian assets while maintaining a safe distance. The shipment’s secrecy is in stark contrast to the previous transparency regarding arms supply by the Biden administration.
Due to U.S. apprehensions about further provoking Russia, the supplied missiles, identified as ATACMS, possess a reduced range and carry cluster munitions.
These can cover a bit more than 100 miles (around 160 km) and scatter multiple bomblets upon deployment. Ukraine’s Special Operations reported the successful destruction of Russian military assets, including nine helicopters, using these missiles.
The ATACMS has been instrumental, especially in targeting sites like the Berdyansk airfield, which lies within the missile’s reach, and the cluster bombs ensure multiple targets are engaged.
The nearest Ukrainian forces are approximately 100 miles from Berdyansk.
Biden greenlighted the delivery last month and told Zelenskyy during a meeting at the White House that the U.S. would finally give Ukraine the ATACMS, according to officials at the time.
The U.S., however, for weeks refused to provide any details on timing or how many missiles would be delivered, although officials suggested that the plan was to send a small number.
