US confirms secret delivery of long-range missile system to Ukraine

US officials revealed that a few weeks ago the United States secretly sent long-range missiles to Ukraine to fight Russian aggression. And Ukraine has now used such missiles twice.

US officials Anonymous said the missiles were included in a $300 million military aid package for Ukraine. US President Joe Biden approved it on March 12 but did not specify how many missiles had been sent.

Jake Sullivan, White House national security adviser said in a briefing for reporters. It is confirmed that the missiles have been delivered to Ukraine. and said that the United States About to send more He said Ukraine was committed to using such weapons only in Ukraine. Not in Russia

Sullivan said. Some of the missiles are included in $1 billion in equipment assistance for Ukraine. which President Joe Biden approved on Wednesday The missile was first used in the early hours of April 17, hitting a Russian airport in Crimea. It is about 165 kilometers from the Ukrainian front line, the official said. It said Ukraine had used the weapon for the second time. overnight against Russian forces in southeastern Ukraine.

The issue of whether to send an Army tactical ballistic missile system (ATACMS) with a range of up to 300 kilometers to Ukraine has been a subject of debate within President Joe Biden’s administration for months. The medium-range ATACMS missile system was delivered last September.

In the beginning, the US Department of Defense Oppose the sending of long-range missiles Because it is feared that removing missiles from America’s arsenal will affect US military readiness. There are also concerns that Ukraine will use the missiles to attack targets deep within Russia.

US officials said Russia’s use of North Korean-supplied long-range missiles in the attacks on Ukraine in December and January Although both the public and private sectors of the United States You will be notified. It leads to a change of mind. In addition, one factor in the decision of the United States. is that Russia is targeting Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.

In late January, the U.S. military was able to put an end to concerns about military readiness. by ordering new missiles produced by the company Lockheed-Martin Mr. Biden held talks with national security officials in mid-February. and agreed to accept the unanimous recommendation of his advisers to send missiles to Ukraine. Participating in the discussions were National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Charles Q. Brown. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

However, after the US Department of Defense It began bidding for arms contracts in March. This allows Mr. Biden to use the margin to approve $300 million in aid to Ukraine. Mr. Biden has called for the inclusion of the long-range ATACMS missile system in the aid package. But do it secretly. To maintain operational security and surprise Ukraine.