Ukraine has begun using longer-range ballistic missiles, ATACMS, against Russia, which were secretly supplied by the US, US officials have confirmed, according to the British BBC network.
The weapons were sent as part of an earlier US aid package, and arrived this month. U.S. officials clarified that they have not made any public announcements about maintaining the “operational security” of Ukraine.
ATACMS missiles have already been used at least once to strike Russian targets in occupied Crimea. Further US aid is now headed to Kiev.
More US weapons are expected to be sent immediately as President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed a new $61 billion economic and military aid package for Ukraine.
By order of Biden
The missiles that have already been secretly provided are the longer-range version of the ATACMS, a State Department spokesman confirmed on Wednesday.
The US previously supplied Ukraine with a medium-range version of the ATACMS, but has refused to send longer-range missiles amid concerns that it would affect US military readiness.
US officials were also concerned that the Ukrainians could use the weapons to strike inside Russian territory, escalating the conflict, according to NBC, which first reported the news.
The Ukrainians have long requested the systems, which can launch missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometers. Biden is said to have secretly given the “green light” in February.
Briefing reporters on Wednesday, a State Department spokesman clarified that providing ATACMS with greater reach was “at the direct order of the president.”
The US “didn’t announce it at first to maintain operational security for Ukraine at their request,” Vedant Patel explained.
It is unclear how many of the weapons have already been sent, but US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Washington plans to send more. “They will make a difference. But as I’ve said before from this podium… there is no silver bullet,” he pointed out anyway.
The longer-range ATACMS gives Ukraine the ability to strike deeper into Russian-controlled areas. Especially bases, storage facilities and supply hubs.
They were first used last week to strike a Russian airport in occupied Crimea, US media reported, and then in an attack on Russian troops in the occupied port city of Berdyansk on Tuesday night.
Moscow’s warnings
Moscow argued that the new weapons “will not fundamentally change the outcome” of the war. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that “the US is directly involved in this conflict … They are following the path of increasing the operational range of the weapons systems they supply.” “This is not going to fundamentally change the outcome of the ‘special military operation.’ We will achieve our goal. But this will cause more problems in Ukraine itself,” warned Peskov.
In recent months, Kiev has stepped up its calls for help from the West as its ammunition stocks run low and Russia steadily advances into Ukrainian territory.
US security assistance previously sent to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion totals $44 billion. “It will make America safer, it will make the world safer,” the US president said after signing the new aid.
Reacting to the package, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said: “Now we will do everything to make up for half a year lost in discussions and doubts.”
Mr Zelensky has warned that a Russian attack is expected in the coming weeks after Ukraine lost the town of Avdiivka over the winter.
Ukrainian forces have faced shortages of ammunition and air defense systems in recent months, and Ukrainian officials have blamed the loss of life and territory on Western delays in aid packages.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, tens of thousands of people, most of them soldiers, have been killed or injured on both sides, and millions have been displaced.
