Revealing the number of ATACMS missiles transferred by the US to Ukraine

According to RIA Novosti, the US New York Times quoted sources saying that the US has transferred more than 100 ATACMS long-range tactical missiles to Ukraine.

"In mid-February, President Joe Biden secretly approved the decision to send more than 100 long-range missiles, as well as a large number of cluster bombs. They are part of a $300 million arms transfer to Ukraine in March 2024" - The New York Times pointed out.

According to the New York Times, the US secretly provided ATACMS to Ukraine even after the two houses passed the $61 billion aid package, and the Ukrainian army immediately used these weapons.

The New York Times also said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces will be able to use ATACMS missiles provided by the US to attack Crimea.

A representative of the US Department of Defense in an interview with RIA Novosti on April 25 refused to specify the characteristics of the ATACMS tactical missile supplied to Ukraine.

“Unfortunately, for operational security reasons, we are unable to confirm model, type, quantity or delivery time,” the representative said.

Previously, on April 24, the Pentagon confirmed the transfer of ATACMS missiles to Kiev for use "in the sovereign territory of Ukraine".

As for Russia, Moscow has been talking about the use of ATACMS missiles by the Ukrainian army since last year, but according to US media, this delivery for the first time includes a modification with a 300 km radius of destruction, while previously the US side said the missile had a range of 160 km.

ATACMS is an operational-tactical ballistic missile developed by Lockheed Martin. It can be launched from a variety of missile launch systems, including the M142 HIMARS.

In October 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the US decision to supply these missiles to Ukraine "another mistake." According to him, such weapons pose an additional threat, but will not be able to completely change the situation on the front line.