U.S. officials say Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles, striking a Russian military airfield in Crimea and Russian troops in another occupied area overnight.
U.S. Army soldiers conduct live fire testing at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., of early versions of the Army Tactical Missile System. The strikes come about a month after the U.S. secretly provided the weapons so that Ukraine could strike targets up to 190 miles away.
Biden approved delivery of the long-range Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, in February, and then in March the U.S. included a “significant” number of them in a $300 million aid package announced, one official said. Information about the delivery was kept so quiet that lawmakers and others in recent days have been demanding that the U.S. send the weapons — not knowing they were already in Ukraine.
Like many of the other sophisticated weapons systems provided to Ukraine, the administration weighed whether their use would risk further escalating the conflict. The administration is continuing to make clear that the weapons cannot be used to hit targets in Russia — only those inside Ukrainian territory, according to one of the U.S. officials.
One of the U.S. officials said the Biden administration warned Russia last year that if Moscow acquired and used long-range ballistic missiles in Ukraine, Washington would provide the same capability to Kyiv. Videos on social media last week showed the explosions at the military airfield, but officials at the time would not confirm it was the ATACMS.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukraine: Russian Missile Launchers Damaged in CrimeaA Ukrainian attack on a military airfield in Russian-occupied Crimea on Wednesday seriously damaged four missile launchers, three radar stations and other equipment, Ukraine's military spy agency said Thursday.
Read more »
Ukraine hammers Russian base in CrimeaUkraine delivered multiple strikes against a Russian air base in Crimea, according to reports and footage circulating on social media.
Read more »
Ukraine denies shooting down Russian helicopter in CrimeaUkraine's navy denies targeting and striking a Russian helicopter that crashed off the coast of Crimea. The incident's cause and the fate of the crew remain unknown.
Read more »
Crimea Bridge Cut Off to Russian Military After Ukraine Strikes: Kyiv'The bridge is doomed,' the head of Ukraine's SBU security service said this past November.
Read more »
Russian Helicopter Crashes in Crimea'Minus Russian Ka-27 in Crimea,' Ukraine's navy posted on social media.
Read more »
Ukraine launches drone attacks targeting Russian energy infrastructure, Ukraine special services source saysUkraine launched attacks on eight Russian regions with long-range strike drones in the early hours of Saturday morning, targeting a fuel depot and power substations, according to a statement from a Ukrainian special services source.
Read more »