US will send Ukraine ATACMS long-range missiles, Joe Biden tells Volodymyr Zelensky, according to report
- US officials have been wary of providing the weapons for fear that Ukraine would use the system to strike targets within Russia and provoke a broader conflict
- A decision to go ahead would also be significant because it could clear the way for Germany to provide its Taurus cruise missile to Ukraine
US President Joe Biden has informed Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky that Washington will provide Kyiv with ATACMS long-range missiles, NBC News reported on Friday, citing three US officials and a congressional official.
Kyiv has repeatedly asked the Biden administration for Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to help attack and disrupt supply lines, air bases and rail networks in Russian-occupied territory.
But the White House did not disclose any decision on ATACMS when Zelensky visited Washington on Thursday for talks with Biden, even as it announced a new US$325 million military aid package for Kyiv.
The White House and Pentagon declined to comment on the NBC report. The Pentagon also declined to say whether any promise of ATACMS were given to Zelensky during his meetings on Thursday at the Pentagon, saying: “In regards to ATACMS we have nothing to announce.”
Reuters had previously reported the Biden administration was considering shipping ATACMS to Ukraine that can fly up to 306km (190 miles).
ATACMS are designed for “deep attack of enemy second-echelon forces”, a US Army website says, and could be used to attack command and control centers, air defences and logistics sites well behind the front line.
