The US secretly sent long-range missiles to Ukraine. The Ukrainians would have already used them in Crimea (sources)

The US delivered ATACMS long-range missiles to Ukraine earlier this month, which the Biden administration had previously refused to send, but the US president reportedly approved their inclusion in the $300 million aid package, according to sources approved on March 12.

Biden secretly approved the transfer of long-range ATACMS missiles in February for use on Ukrainian soil. The ATACMS missiles were then included in the $300 million aid package approved on March 12 and finally delivered to Ukraine earlier this month, according to Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Garron Garn, CNN writes.

“It was not announced that we were providing Ukraine with this new capability at the time to maintain operational security for Ukraine at their request,” Garn said.

The Biden administration initially opposed sending the long-range missiles, in part because of training concerns. Powerful rockets take time and complex components to produce. Lockheed Martin, which makes ATACMS missiles, is in full production and making about 500 missiles a year, a company spokesman said in September.

The US has been working behind the scenes to solve the problems of preparing this military aid, which have included buying more ATACMS missiles and replenishing US military stockpiles.

“As a result, we were able to move forward with ATACMS procurement while maintaining the current readiness of our armed forces,” Pentagon spokesman Maj. Charlie Dietz said.

Biden also directed his team to take the step following Russia’s purchase and use of North Korean ballistic missiles against Ukraine and Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, a US official said.

“We have warned Russia against acquiring North Korean ballistic missiles and against renewed attacks against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure,” Dietz said. “With our readiness concerns addressed, we were able to follow through on our warning and provide Ukraine with this long-range capability.”

More missiles are expected to be included in the new military aid package the Pentagon announced Wednesday after Biden signed into law the aid package providing nearly $61 billion in aid to Ukraine after months of delays in Congress.

Reuters writes that the missiles were first used in the early hours of April 17, when they were launched against a Russian airfield in Crimea, about 165 km from the Ukrainian front line, citing a US official.

He said Ukraine had used this type of missile a second time overnight against Russian forces in southeastern Ukraine.

Biden’s talks with his security team in mid-February also included National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff CQ Maro.

Publisher: MI

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