According to a report by The New York Times, the United States recently sent new long-range missiles to Ukraine in a covert operation. These missiles, known as the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), were used by the Ukrainian army for attacks on Russian opponents earlier in the week. While Ukraine had previously received a version of this system with a range of about 160 kilometers, they had been 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, but the operation was 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.
Information about the missile deliveries to Ukraine was not widely publicized, possibly to maintain the element of surprise. The use of these long-range missiles signifies a shift in tactics for the Ukrainian army and could impact the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. However, it remains unclear what exact implications these missile deliveries will have on the dynamics of this complex conflict.
The deployment of these long-range missiles could change how both sides approach combat operations and potentially escalate tensions further. On one hand, it gives Ukraine an edge over their opponents’ capabilities and allows them to strike from greater distances without putting their own soldiers at risk. On the other hand, Russia may feel threatened by this move and see it as an act of aggression that requires retaliation.
Overall, while these new long-range missiles provide some strategic advantages for Ukraine in their fight against Russian aggression, they also add another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation that could lead to unforeseen consequences if not handled carefully.