The US will send long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, according to NBC

The American president, Joe Biden, assured his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, that his Government will supply him with long-range ATACMS missiles, NBC reported this Friday.

Ukraine has been insistently demanding these missiles for months, but the United States had been reluctant about it for fear of provoking an escalation of war with Russia.

Three congressional sources confirmed this Friday to NBC that in the meeting between Biden and Zelensky at the White House on Thursday, the US president told him that the US will provide Ukraine with “a small amount” of ATACMS missiles.

These sources did not specify when the official announcement will be made public or when shipping is planned.

The White House this Friday refused to confirm that news and limited itself to reiterating that the United States will help Ukraine “as long as necessary.”

According to presidential spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre in a press conference, Thursday's meeting between the two leaders “sent a strong signal to the world” that Washington will continue to support Kiev.

Biden mentioned during the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, last July that they were considering sending ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, but at that time his focus was on sending artillery, since that is what is being used the most in the battlefield.

Ukraine has since increased its insistence, arguing that ATACMS, with a range of about 300 kilometers, would be particularly effective in neutralizing Russian missile launchers in Crimea, from where Odessa is often attacked.

In the aid package to Ukraine announced on Thursday by Biden and valued at $325 million, the shipment of these missiles was not mentioned.

That package did contain weapons to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses against Russian attacks, both currently and during the upcoming winter season, when Russia could again attack critical infrastructure such as the electricity supply needed to keep homes heated.

Specifically, it includes another HAWK anti-aircraft defense battery, which can shoot down aircraft, as well as systems capable of intercepting missiles in order to protect the civilian population.

The ATACMS have a range of about 300 kilometers, about 64 kilometers more than the French SCALP missiles and the English Storm Shadow, which both countries have already authorized to send to Ukraine.. The United States had already sent HIMARS rockets to Ukraine, but their range is around 80 kilometers.