Officials: Ukraine Strikes Russian-Held Areas with US-Supplied Long-Range Missiles in Covert Operation

 

Ukraine has initiated the use of long-range ballistic missiles, covertly supplied by the United States, striking a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and targeting Russian forces in another occupied region overnight, according to American officials on Wednesday.

 

These newly acquired missiles, a long-awaited asset for Ukrainian leadership, extend Ukraine's striking range nearly twofold, reaching up to 300 kilometers (190 miles), compared to the mid-range missiles received from the U.S. last October. Sources reveal that the United States, under a new military aid package signed by President Joe Biden, is providing more of these missiles.

 

President Biden authorized the delivery of the long-range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) in early March, with a significant allocation included in a $300 million aid package announced at that time. The exact number of missiles provided both last month and in the latest aid package, totaling approximately $1 billion, remains undisclosed.

 

Facing escalating Russian aggression and weapon shortages, Ukraine's acquisition of these long-range systems significantly enhances its ability to strike deeper into Russian-held territory, a capability crucial for Ukrainian forces to operate safely beyond enemy range.

 

The decision to supply these advanced weapons was carefully weighed against the risk of escalating the conflict, with military planners determining that the timing was opportune. According to Adm. Christopher Grady, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, these long-range weapons will enable Ukraine to disrupt Russian logistics and troop concentrations located away from the front lines.

 

While Ukrainian officials have not publicly acknowledged the receipt or use of the long-range ATACMS, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of Ukraine's enhanced capabilities in artillery and air defense for achieving a just peace.

 

The decision to provide these missiles was influenced by Russia's own deployment of similar weapons in Ukraine, acquired from North Korea. The U.S. administration had refrained from confirming the delivery until their actual use on the battlefield, aligning with Kyiv's approval for public disclosure.

 

Ukraine's deployment of these missiles coincided with a period of political deadlock in Congress, delaying the approval of foreign aid, including crucial funding for Ukraine's defense. As the conflict enters its third year, the delayed delivery of U.S. weapons has allowed Russia to intensify attacks, leveraging its firepower superiority and exploiting Ukrainian vulnerabilities in troop and ammunition shortages.

 

The recent supply of both mid-range and long-range missiles, some equipped with cluster munitions, underscores the evolving nature of the conflict and the strategic importance of modernizing Ukraine's defense capabilities.