The recent delivery of new long-range missiles to Ukraine by the United States has been kept under wraps, according to a report by The New York Times. These missiles, known as the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), were used in attacks on Russian opponents earlier in the week. Ukraine had previously received a version of this system with a range of about 160 kilometers but was seeking missiles with a longer range of 300 kilometers to target occupied territories like Crimea.
President Joe Biden had approved the delivery of over 100 of these longer-range missiles in February, and they were kept secret to prevent the Russian army from preparing for attacks from greater distances. The new missiles were deployed for the first time in an attack on Russian troops in Berdiansk and then again on a military airport in Dzhankoi, Crimea. Social media images showed successful strikes, with ammunition supplies still on fire hours after the attacks.
The use of these long-range missiles signifies a shift in tactics for the Ukrainian army and could impact the ongoing conflict in the region. While it is not yet clear what implications these missile deliveries will have on the dynamics of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, it is evident that they represent a significant escalation of tensions between the two nations.
