The United States has dispatched long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine for deployment within its borders.
State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel announced that the missiles were sent to Ukraine under the directive of President Joe Biden. “I can confirm that the United States supplied Ukraine with long-range ATACMS as per the president’s direct order,” stated Patel to reporters on Wednesday.
This long-range missile provision was part of an aid package for Ukraine approved in March. However, Patel noted, “We refrained from making this announcement initially to preserve operational security for Ukraine, as requested by them,” adding that the missiles arrived in Ukraine this month.
ATACMS missiles have the capability to strike targets up to 300 kilometers away.
In 2023, the White House sent a shorter-range variant of ATACMS, with a range of 165 kilometers, but Kyiv had long requested the longer-range missiles.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced plans to send additional long-range missiles to Ukraine. “They will have an impact. However, as I've emphasized previously, there is no single solution,” Sullivan remarked.