Ukraine used secretly supplied US missiles to hit Russian targets
The U.S. has already provided long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine, according to a Pentagon spokesperson.
President Biden in February directed officials to supply the longer-range versions of the ATACMS, which have been long requested by Ukraine to strike at Russian targets deep behind enemy lines.
These ATACMS were first provided in a $300 million package announced on March 12 and arrived in Ukraine in April, the Pentagon official said.
"We did not announce that we were providing Ukraine with this new capability at the time in order to maintain operational security for Ukraine at their request," they wrote in an email.
Ukraine has already used the ATACMS to bomb a Russian airfield in Crimea and a Russian-occupied region of eastern Ukraine, according to The Associated Press.
The news comes the same day Biden signed into law a national security package that includes roughly $61 billion for Ukraine. The Biden administration also announced an additional $1 billion package for Kyiv on Wednesday.
The Biden administration previously supplied Ukraine with older versions of ATACMS, but the best version of the weapon system can strike targets up to 190 miles away — making them highly valuable to strike at Russian logistical hubs or strategic military points.
ATACMS have long been on the wish list for Ukraine, even as they have gotten similar long-range artillery from European partners, including Storm Shadow missiles from the U.K.
Congress pushed the Biden administration to include the long-range versions in previous weapons packages, but the secret shipments already sent to Ukraine appear to have eluded even lawmakers in Congress who have called for the ATACMS.
The Pentagon spokesperson said that until recently, the administration was "unable to provide long-range ATACMS to Ukraine because of readiness concerns."
"But behind the scenes, the administration has been working relentlessly to address these concerns," the spokesperson said. "We have new ATACMS coming off the production line and being transferred into military stocks, and, as a result, we were able to move forward with this provision of ATACMS while also maintaining the current readiness of our armed forces."
The spokesperson added that Biden directed his team to provide the ATACMS after North Korea supplied ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine and while Russian forces continued to pummel Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.
"The ATACMS will help Ukraine deny Russia safe haven anywhere in occupied Ukrainian territory," the spokesperson explained. "Together with the significant aid package the president approved today, they will provide an important boost to Ukraine, which has been on the defensive for months."
Date: | |
Tag: | Ukraine |
Filter
-
Russian finance flows slump after US targets Putin’s war machine
Washington’s crackdown shows its leverage over global banking systemFinancial Times - Business - Russia -
Russia-Ukraine war live: Lithuania hits out at Russia ‘disinformation’ over spy claims
Russia had said that a Ukrainian agent had entered country from Lithuania with the aim of targeting a fuel facility. Ukraine’s president and foreign minister has pressed British foreign secretary David Cameron to accelerate the delivery of ...The Guardian - World - Russia -
Russian forces sharing base with US troops in Niger
The Russians are said to be sharing a wing of Niger's main airport, but not mingling with US troops.BBC News - Top stories - Russia -
Russian troops staying at base housing US forces in Niger
Russian military personnel have been staying at an air base in Niger that also hosts U.S. troops and equipment, a U.S. official confirmed to The Hill Thursday. The news comes as roughly 1,000 American service members are expected to withdraw from ...The Hill - Politics - Russia -
US confirms Russian forces deployed to same Niger airbase as American troops
Russians in separate compound and do not have access to US forces or equipment, says defence secretary. Ukraine war – live updatesThe US secretary of defence, Lloyd Austin, has confirmed Russian security forces have been deployed to the same ...The Guardian - World - Russia
More from The Hill
-
Jeffries: Democrats 'effectively' in majority due to GOP 'chaos, dysfunction'
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said “chaos” and “dysfunction” in the House GOP has “effectively” given Democrats the majority, lending credence to far-right criticism of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) as the GOP majority slims. ...The Hill - Politics -
'If Roe v. Wade can fall, anything can fall,' says Jeffries in stressing importance of elections
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) emphasized the stakes of the 2024 election in a “60 Minutes” interview on Sunday, warning that much more than abortion rights are at risk if former President Trump gets a second term. He told CBS’ ...The Hill - Politics -
Kim Godwin out at ABC News
Kim Godwin is leaving as the head of ABC News, she announced to employees on Sunday evening. Godwin is retiring after what she called a time of “considerable reflection," she wrote in a note obtained by The Hill. In another note to staff, Debra ...The Hill - Politics -
Biden administration pauses ammunition shipment to Israel: Report
The Biden administration halted a shipment of ammunition bound for Israel last week, Axios first reported, as pressure rises over the Israeli military’s promised invasion of Rafah in Gaza. Israeli officials were left scrambling as to why the ...The Hill - Politics - Joe Biden -
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft to launch first crewed mission
Boeing’s first crewed mission of its Starliner spacecraft is set to launch Monday night, a milestone for the aerospace manufacturer. The Starliner is scheduled to lift off at about 10:30 p.m. Monday, weather permitting, carrying two NASA ...The Hill - Politics