Ukraine confirms U.S. delivery of long-range missiles

The United States has quietly delivered a small number of long-range ballistic missiles to Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Tuesday. The missiles, known as the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), have a range of about 100 miles and carry cluster munitions, which can be effective in hitting multiple targets.

Secrecy Shrouds Delivery

The delivery of the missiles was shrouded in secrecy, with the expectation that the first public acknowledgment would come when the missiles were used on the battlefield. This intense secrecy is a marked change from previous US weapons sent by the Biden administration, which has nearly always publicly announced its decisions prior to the weapons and equipment being shipped overseas.

Concerns About Escalation

The Biden administration had balked for months about providing the missiles, worried that Kyiv could use them to hit deep into Russian territory, enraging Moscow and escalating the conflict. Biden finally greenlighted the delivery last month, but the US has refused to provide any details on timing or how many missiles would be delivered.

Capabilities and Impact

The ATACMS missiles will give Ukraine a critical ability to strike Russian targets that are farther away, allowing Ukrainian forces to stay safely out of range. Ukrainian forces want to use the missiles to help fuel their counteroffensive as it heads into the muddy and colder winter months, enabling troops to strike behind Russian lines while staying out of firing range.

Controversy Over Cluster Munitions

The delivery of the cluster munition version of the ATACMS missiles marks the second time the Biden administration has moved to send that type of weapon. Cluster munitions are banned by many NATO allies because they have a track record for causing many civilian casualties. Unexploded rounds, which often litter battlefields and populated civilian areas, can cause unintended deaths.

The delivery of the ATACMS missiles to Ukraine is a significant development in the ongoing conflict with Russia. The missiles will give Ukraine a much-needed boost in its ability to strike Russian targets, but the use of cluster munitions raises concerns about the potential for civilian casualties.