ALBAWABA- Ukraine has deployed long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States for the first time, targeting a Russian military airfield in Crimea and forces in another occupied area, American officials revealed on Wednesday, as reported by AP.
These new missiles, sought by Ukrainian leaders, double Ukraine's striking distance to up to 300 kilometers, compared to the mid-range version received last October.
President Joe Biden approved the delivery of the long-range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) in early March, including a significant number in a $300 million aid package.
The exact number of missiles in the recent delivery and total aid package of about $1 billion remains undisclosed.
Ukraine's urgent need for these missiles arises from increasing Russian attacks and the critical ability they provide to strike Russian targets from a safer distance.
The delivery was kept so quiet that lawmakers and others were demanding the U.S. send the weapons, unaware they were already in Ukraine.
Initially hesitant due to concerns over escalating conflict, the U.S. decided the time was right to provide the long-range missiles, having previously sent mid-range versions last October.
