Zelensky confirms ATACMS missiles use
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, confirmed the use of U.S. long-range ATACMS missiles by Ukrainian troops. Volodymyr Zelensky said this during a video address. "Today, I am especially grateful to the United States.
Our agreements with President Biden are being implemented. They are being implemented very accurately - the ATACMS have proven themselves. Glory to Ukraine," Zelensky said.
The President of Ukraine was referring to today's strike on Russian aircraft at the airfield in the occupied Ukrainian city of Berdiansk. Russian propagandists claimed painful losses among army aviation pilots after a strike on the airfield. At the beginning of October, U.S. President Joe Biden stated that everything requested by the President of Ukraine regarding the transfer of the long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine had been fulfilled.
The Washington Post sources said that on October 17, the Ukrainian military launched U.S. long-range ATACMS missiles at the positions of the Russian invaders. According to the newspaper, "a small number of missiles were secretly sent to Ukraine in recent days to strengthen Kyiv's ability to launch long-range strikes against Russian forces during an important stage of the counteroffensive." The WP states that Ukraine has been "looking for a long time" for a surface-to-surface missile that could hit Russian army positions far beyond the front line.
M142 HIMARS and ATACMS missiles. Photo credits: Mariusz Burcz
The WP also noted that the ATACMS missiles received by Ukraine have a range of about 160 kilometers. "The U.S. decision to send ATACMS has been a long time coming.
Ukraine has repeatedly stated that the missiles are essential to its military plan and provide the necessary range to hit targets behind the front line," the journalists added.
The range of ATACMS missiles, which have entered service with Ukraine
On October 17, the Special Operations Forces also reported "targeted strikes on airfields and helicopters of the Russian invaders near the temporarily occupied Luhansk and Berdiansk".