US secretly sends long-range missiles to Ukraine after months of resistance

(CNN) — The Pentagon reported this Wednesday that the United States handed over long-range missiles to Ukraine earlier this month, which Joe Biden’s government had previously refused to send following instructions from the US President.

Biden secretly approved the transfer of ATACMS long-range missiles for use within Ukrainian territory in February. According to Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Garon Garn, the ATACMS missiles were quietly included in a $300 million aid package announced on March 12 and eventually delivered to Ukraine earlier this month.

“It was not announced at the time that we were providing this new capability to Ukraine at their request to maintain the operational security of Ukraine,” Garn said, referring to questions about Ukrainian military use.

The Biden administration had opposed fielding long-range missiles partly for preparedness reasons. Building these powerful missiles requires time and complex components. Lockheed Martin, which makes ATACMS missiles, is in full production and making about 500 missiles per year, a company spokesman said in September.

The United States worked behind the scenes to resolve readiness issues, including purchasing more ATACMS missiles and replenishing US military stockpiles.

“As a result, we were able to move forward with this provision of ATACMS while maintaining our Army’s current readiness,” said Maj. Charlie Dietz, a Pentagon spokesman.

A US official said Biden directed his team to take this action following Russia’s acquisition and use of North Korean ballistic missiles against Ukraine and Russia’s attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.

“We warn Russia against acquiring North Korean ballistic missiles and resuming its attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure,” Dietz said. “With our readiness concerns addressed, we are able to follow through on our warning and provide Ukraine with long-range capability.”

More missiles are expected to be included in a new military aid package announced by the Pentagon on Wednesday, when Biden signed a nearly $61 billion aid package for Ukraine after months of delay in Congress.

Last time, the United States first sent the medium-range version of the ATACMS missile system to Ukraine, which can reach about 160 kilometers, while the long-range version can reach 305 kilometers.

Ukrainian officials have been privately and publicly calling for the US to deploy long-range missiles to strike deeper behind the Russian border. US officials had previously objected, citing supply problems and concerns that they would further provoke Moscow if they were deployed.