Ukraine has started using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, launching attacks on Russian military targets in Crimea and another occupied area. These missiles, known as the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), give Ukraine a striking distance of up to 300 kilometers, nearly double what they had with the mid-range version received last October. President Joe Biden approved the delivery of these long-range missiles in February, and a significant number of them were included in a $300 million aid package announced in March. The exact number of missiles provided is not disclosed, but the total aid package amounts to about $1 billion.
The information about the delivery of these missiles was kept quiet, leading to demands from lawmakers and others for the U.S. to send weapons to Ukraine, unaware that the long-range missiles were already in possession of the country. Initially, the U.S. hesitated to provide the long-range missiles out of concern that Ukraine could use them to strike deep into Russian territory, provoking Moscow and escalating the conflict. However, after careful consideration, the decision was made to provide them as they will allow Ukraine to target Russian sites that are farther away, without risking escalation.
Ukrainian officials have not publicly acknowledged the receipt or use of the long-range ATACMS, but they have emphasized the importance of having such capabilities for restoring peace. The Biden administration had warned Russia that if Moscow acquired and used long-range ballistic missiles in Ukraine, the U.S. would provide the same capability to Kyiv. The decision to provide the missiles was made after Russia obtained similar weapons from North Korea and used them in Ukraine. The U.S. administration has made it clear that these weapons are only meant to be used within Ukrainian territory and not against targets inside Russia.
The first use of these long-range missiles by Ukraine occurred when Congress was facing political gridlock, delaying approval of a $95 billion foreign aid package, including funding for Ukraine. With acute shortages of artillery and air defense systems, Ukraine had been rationing its munitions as U.S. funding was delayed. Russia took advantage of this delay to increase attacks across eastern Ukraine, using their edge in firepower and personnel. The missiles sent recently carry cluster munitions that open in the air when fired, releasing multiple bomblets, while others have a single warhead.
The decision to send these long-range missiles was influenced by the U.S. Army’s ability to replace older ATACMS with the new Precision Strike Missile. This development allowed for the provision of ATACMS to Ukraine without affecting U.S. military readiness. The Biden administration has worked to address concerns about providing these weapons, ensuring that stocks are available and can be sent to Ukraine. The use of these long-range missiles by Ukraine has demonstrated their ability to achieve battlefield victories with the right tools. Senator Roger Wicker, a top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, has been advocating for the provision of these weapons to Ukraine.
