In recent news, the United States has covertly delivered new long-range missiles to Ukraine in a bid to boost their military capabilities and aid them in their ongoing conflict with Russia. These missiles, known as the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), were used by the Ukrainian army for attacks on Russian opponents earlier in the week. While Ukraine had previously received a version of this system with a range of about 160 kilometers, they had been seeking missiles with a longer range of 300 kilometers to target occupied territories like Crimea.
President Joe Biden had approved the delivery of over 100 of these longer-range missiles in February, but the operation was kept secret to prevent the Russian army from preparing for attacks from greater distances. The new missiles were deployed for the first time in an attack on Russian troops in Berdiansk and then again on a military airport in Dzhankoi, Crimea. Social media images showed successful strikes, with ammunition supplies still on fire hours after the attacks.
The use of these longer-range missiles signifies a shift in tactics for the Ukrainian army and could impact the ongoing conflict in the region. However, it remains unclear what exact implications these missile deliveries will have on the dynamics of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The information about these deliveries was not widely publicized, possibly to maintain the element of surprise and ensure their success.
Despite efforts by both sides to gain an upper hand in this conflict, it seems that no clear resolution is yet in sight. The delivery of these new long-range missiles is just one example of how both countries are continuing to arm themselves in preparation for future battles.
In conclusion, while this latest development may bring some relief to Ukraine as they gain more advanced weaponry, it also highlights how deeply entrenched this conflict is and how difficult it will be for either side to achieve victory through military means alone.