Ukraine Attacks Russian Airfield With Long-Range ATACMS Missiles

by Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow

In a major development, Ukraine has started using the long-range ballistic missiles secretly supplied by the United States. It would be the first time Ukraine has used such weapons, striking at a Russian military airfield in Crimea and Russian troops in another occupied area.

The decision to provide these long-range missiles, specifically the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), was approved by U.S. President Joe Biden. The delivery of these systems was part of a larger $300 million military aid package announced in March, confirming the U.S. commitment to Ukraine amidst escalating hostilities. This aid package was part of a broader initiative, with an additional $1 billion signed into action by President Biden to strengthen Ukraine’s military response amid intensifying Russian aggression.

The deployment of these missiles has been a contentious issue within U.S. foreign policy circles, primarily due to concerns about escalating tensions with Russia. The U.S. had previously provided Ukraine with mid-range missile systems to avoid the risk of strikes deep within Russian territory. However, the increasing military challenges faced by Ukraine, coupled with the strategic necessity for greater defensive depth, prompted a reassessment of this policy.

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The operational circumstances where those long-range missiles could be specifically effective included taking out Russian logistics nodes and troop concentrations. The long-range missiles would give Ukraine nearly double the striking distance—up to 300 kilometers (190 miles)—it had with the mid-range version of the weapon it received from the U.S. last October.

The United States has committed over $44.9 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of the Biden Administration. The Pentagon has been actively involved in assessing the situation and aiding Ukraine. That includes over $44.2 billion since the beginning of Russia’s unprovoked and bloody invasion on February 24, 2022.