Ukraine to receive U.S. army tactical missiles in push against Russian forces

The Biden administration has agreed to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles, following repeated requests from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. A senior U.S. official announced on Monday that the U.S. would provide Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), a weapon that would allow Ukrainian forces to target Russian positions hundreds of kilometers away.

Zelensky has described these missiles as a critical component of Ukraine’s “victory plan,” as they would provide the Ukrainian military with the ability to strike key Russian-held targets. File footage of the Army Tactical Missile Systems shows their power and precision—a weapon that has long been sought after by Kyiv.

The decision follows months of pleas from Zelensky, who has been pushing Western allies for advanced weaponry to bolster Ukraine’s defense. The missiles are expected to help Ukrainian troops target Russian military positions in regions such as Kursk, where Ukraine launched a surprise counteroffensive earlier this year.

The long-range missiles, which can strike targets up to 300 kilometers away, represent a significant escalation in Western military support for Ukraine. Until now, Ukraine has relied heavily on domestically-produced weapons, but officials have acknowledged that these alone are not enough to sustain a long-term defense against Russia.

The move comes as Russia recently deployed North Korean ground troops to reinforce its military efforts in Ukraine, a development that has raised concerns in both Washington and Kyiv as the conflict nears its third year.

The provision of ATACMS has been a topic of intense debate within the U.S. government. American officials have been divided over whether to approve the transfer of such advanced weapons, citing concerns about the limited supply of the missiles and their potential to escalate the conflict. The weapons are in limited stock, and replenishing them quickly is not an option.

Ukraine has been lobbying for Western support for months, hoping that the provision of more advanced weapons would tip the balance in its favor. When Zelensky last visited the White House, he brought with him a list of specific Russian targets he planned to strike using U.S.-provided long-range missiles.

However, the decision also raises the specter of further escalation. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly warned that Russia could use nuclear weapons if necessary and that any military action backed by a nuclear power would be seen as a joint attack on Russia.

Meanwhile, in the U.S., concerns are mounting about the potential impact of incoming President-elect Donald Trump, who has promised throughout his campaign to resolve the conflict “very quickly.” His stance on the war remains unclear, and it remains to be seen how his policies might shift U.S. support for Ukraine.

Military experts say the effectiveness of the long-range missiles will largely depend on how and where they are used. While they are currently authorized for use in the Kursk region, expanding their use to other areas could complicate Russia’s ability to defend against Ukrainian forces.

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