Ukraine confirmed the use of long-range ATACMS missiles provided by the United States in an attack against Russian forces, as stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on October 17.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the United States and highlighted that their agreements with President Biden were being carried out effectively. The provision of ATACMS missiles had been kept confidential, and while the exact timing of their delivery remained unclear, reports from outlets like CNN and the Associated Press had previously cited unnamed U.S. officials.
Ukraine had repeatedly requested these missiles to disrupt Russian-occupied territory's supply lines, air bases, and rail networks. Although President Biden had approved a future delivery, the specific timing and quantity were not specified during his meeting with President Zelenskyy at the White House.
Due to ongoing concerns regarding potential escalation of tensions with Russia, especially by targeting Russian soil with NATO weaponry, the ATACMS missiles provided to Ukraine have a shorter range than their maximum capacity. These missiles are equipped with cluster munitions, which release multiple bomblets when fired into the air, rather than a single warhead.
Additionally, Ukraine had pressured Germany to supply Taurus cruise missiles similar to ATACMS, sparking debates among German politicians. However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz justified his decision to withhold Taurus cruise missiles with a 500-kilometer range from the war zone, citing the risk of escalation despite Ukraine's urgent appeals.
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