The US secretly gave long-range missiles to Ukraine

International Desk: Ukraine has secretly started using long-range ballistic missiles. Several US officials have confirmed that the US supplied them to Kiev to deter an invasion by Russian forces.

The weapons are part of a $300 million aid package approved by President Joe Biden in March and arrived in Kiev in April. BBC news.

According to US media reports, this type of missile has been used at least once to target the position of Russian forces in the Russian-occupied Crimea region. Biden has now signed a new $61 billion military aid package for Ukraine.

The bill has already been approved by the Senate after passing the Congress. The U.S. has previously supplied Kiev with the Intermediate-Range Military Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, but has been reluctant to provide anything more powerful due to some concerns about coordination with the U.S. military. But Biden finally gave the green signal last February to secretly field long-range missiles, capable of hitting targets up to 300 kilometers away.

State Department spokesman Vedanta Patel said, "I can confirm that the United States has provided long-range ATACMS to Ukraine under the direct direction of the President." At the same time, he said that at the request of Ukraine, the United States did not officially disclose it to ensure operational security. However, it is not yet clear exactly how many missiles the US has delivered to Kiev. But national security adviser Jack Sullivan said Washington plans to send more such weapons. These will make a difference. ... He also mentioned that there is no easy solution here.

Citing a US official who did not want to be named, the Reuters news agency said that Kiev launched its first long-range missile attack on a Russian airbase in occupied Crimea last week. In addition, the New York Times reported that this new missile was used last Tuesday night in Bardyansk, which was occupied by Russian troops.

Over the past few months, Kiev has been calling for increased Western aid as its weapons stockpile dwindles and the Russians make some progress. The US has announced a new aid package for Kiev after months of impasse over opposition from the US Congress. After the United States approved a new military aid package, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, "Now we will do everything to make up for almost a year and a half of debate and doubt." Whatever the Russian occupiers do in the meantime, whatever Putin plans, we must stop them.

Zelensky recently warned that Russia could attack again in the coming weeks. Earlier last winter, Ukraine lost control of the city of Avdivka to Russia. Ukraine's military has been suffering from a shortage of weapons and air defense systems for the past few months. Officials blamed the delay on the West, including the US, for the loss of life and territory. Sullivan said Wednesday that Russia could succeed in gaining additional strategic advantages in the coming weeks. Two years ago on February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine.

Millions of people, mostly soldiers, were either killed or wounded on both sides. Besides, millions of people have been displaced. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden signed a new $95 billion aid package into law for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. It became law after his signature. He said it would make America safer, it would make the world safer. The US will now help Kiev fight Russian aggression by sending new weapons and equipment. He said this a day after the bill was approved in the Senate.

The bill proposes $65 billion in military aid for Kiev. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said, "After six months of hard work, America has sent a message to the world that we will not turn our backs on you." The Ukrainian president said it would strengthen America's role as a defender of democracy and leader of the free world.