Confirming reports, the United States has dispatched long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine for use within its borders.
Speaking on behalf of the State Department, spokesperson Vedant Patel announced that the missiles were delivered to Ukraine under the direction of President Joe Biden.
“I can verify that Ukraine has received the long-range ATACMS based on a direct order from the president,” stated Patel during a press briefing on Wednesday.
These long-range missiles were included in an aid package for Ukraine issued back in March.
Patel revealed that the decision to withhold this information initially was a strategic move to safeguard Ukraine’s operational security, as requested by the country. He added that the missiles reached Ukraine earlier this month.
Capable of striking targets up to 300 kilometers away, ATACMS missiles provide a significant reach for the Ukrainian forces. In a previous shipment in 2023, the White House sent a shorter-range ATACMS variant with a maximum range of 165 kilometers. However, the delivery of longer-range missiles has been a longstanding request from Kyiv.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan shared that the US intends to supply Ukraine with additional long-range missiles in the future.
“These missiles will have an impact. However, as I’ve emphasized previously, there is no singular solution to this complex situation,” Sullivan remarked.