US secretly ships long-range missiles to Ukraine

KATHMANDU: Recent reports reveal that the United States covertly dispatched long-range missiles to Ukraine in the past few weeks to aid the country in its defense against Russian forces. The disclosure came from a US official on Wednesday, speaking anonymously. As of March 12, President Joe Biden greenlit a $300 million military aid package, which encompassed the missiles. However, the official did not disclose the exact quantity of missiles sent.

Confirming the shipment, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan stated that a "significant number" of missiles had been delivered to Ukraine, with plans for additional shipments. Ukraine has pledged to use these weapons exclusively within its borders and not against Russia.

The missiles, part of a larger $1 billion weapons package for Ukraine approved by President Biden, were first deployed on April 17 against a Russian airfield in Crimea, approximately 165 kilometers from the Ukrainian front lines. Subsequently, they were used again against Russian forces in southeastern Ukraine.

The decision to send the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) with a range of up to 300 kilometers underwent considerable deliberation within the Biden administration. Initially, the Pentagon opposed their deployment due to concerns over military readiness and potential misuse by Ukraine. However, Russia's actions, including the use of North Korean-supplied long-range ballistic missiles against Ukraine, prompted a shift in the administration's stance.

President Biden, following comprehensive discussions with his national security team in mid-February, including Sullivan, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman C.Q. Brown, sanctioned the shipment of long-range missiles to Ukraine. Securing funding for the missiles was a challenge, but an opportunity arose in March when certain Pentagon contracts came in under budget, allowing $300 million in assistance to be redirected to Ukraine, including the long-range ATACMS. Maintaining operational security, the decision to include the missiles was kept secret to preserve the element of surprise for Ukraine.