![US Army Tactical Missile System in operation in an undisclosed location on South Korea's east coast during a live-fire exercise in May 2022 [File: South Korean Defence Ministry via AFP]](https://titapost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/long-range-missile.webp)
In a move to support Ukraine’s ongoing counter-offensive against Russia, US President Joe Biden plans to provide Kyiv with advanced long-range missiles, according to reports from US media. The missiles in question are ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) with a range of up to 190 miles (300km), which would enable Ukraine to target Russian positions deep behind the front line.
The decision comes after at least one Ukrainian missile struck the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea fleet in annexed Crimea on Friday. The attack, carried out using Storm Shadow missiles supplied by Britain and France, highlights the significance of Western weaponry in Ukraine’s defense strategy. Storm Shadow missiles have a range of just over 150 miles.
Unnamed US officials quoted by NBC News and The Wall Street Journal revealed that President Biden informed his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, during their meeting at the White House that Kyiv would receive “a small number” of ATACMS missiles. The weapons are expected to be sent to Ukraine in the coming weeks.
According to sources cited by The Washington Post, Ukraine will receive ATACMS missiles armed with cluster bomblets instead of a single warhead. However, neither the US nor Ukraine has officially confirmed these reports from American media.
Following the talks between President Biden and President Zelensky, the US announced an additional $325 million in military aid for Ukraine, including artillery, ammunition, and the delivery of America’s Abrams tanks next week.
While both leaders have been evasive regarding the ATACMS issue, President Zelensky expressed optimism about reaching an agreement, stating, “I believe that most of what we were discussing with President Biden yesterday… we will be able to reach an agreement [on].” He added that the matter is a question of time and that not everything depends on Ukraine alone.
Kyiv has been advocating for the acquisition of ATACMS missiles for several months to strengthen its counter-offensive in the south. The Ukrainian government argues that targeting key Russian supply lines, command positions, and logistical hubs deep behind the front line would make it harder for Moscow to resupply troops and weaponry. Ukrainian officials also claim that Russian positions in the occupied Ukrainian regions, including Crimea, would be particularly vulnerable.
The Biden administration initially hesitated to provide Ukraine with modern weaponry after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, the US stance has since shifted, with Kyiv receiving high-precision Himars long-range rocket systems and Patriot air defense missiles. President Biden remains cautious about ATACMS deliveries due to concerns that such missiles could escalate tensions with nuclear-armed Russia.
The US and Ukraine have not yet officially confirmed the reports regarding the ATACMS missile deliveries.