The United States of America (USA) secretly decided to send a long-range missile system to Ukraine in February, changing its stance not to supply Kiev with weapons that some in the White House feared could escalate the war with Russia, according to the British Financial Times.
US officials said the ATACMS missile system arrived in Ukraine last Sunday and was immediately used by the Ukrainian military to attack an airport in Crimea and a Russian force position.
At the time, the US did not announce a decision to maintain Ukraine's operational security at Kiev's request, officials said.
US President Joseph Biden's change in attitude was partially influenced by Russia's increased attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure in recent months, as well as Russia's use of North Korean ballistic missiles, said White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
"We have already sent some (long-range missile systems), we will send more now that we have additional authority and money. I believe that will make a difference," said Sullivan, referring to the new $61 billion military aid package to Ukraine, which has been made possible. by adopting the law that Biden signed yesterday.
Sullivan said he did not believe the new arms shipments would escalate the conflict, arguing that it was an adequate response to increased Russian strikes with North Korean long-range missiles.
The US has previously sent shorter-range ATACMS systems to Ukraine, and the latest delivery marks the first time Washington has agreed to send artillery with a range of more than 300 kilometers, allowing the Ukrainian military to strike deep inside Russian territory.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Ukraine's use of the new ATACMS system shows that the US wants to "strengthen the terrorist potential" of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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