US reportedly considers sending long-range ATACMS missiles to Kiev
3 Min Read
The US may include long-range ATACMS missiles in its latest military aid package to Kiev, with reports suggesting Ukraine could use 18 such missiles already in its possession.
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In this handout photo from the US Army, an early version of an Army Tactical Missile System is tested December 14, 2021, at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. (US Army)
New military aid to Kiev announced by US President Donald Trump on July 14 may include long-range ATACMS missiles, according to The Washington Post (WP).
The report states that Washington could authorize the use of 18 long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) already in Kiev’s possession as part of the ongoing US military assistance program to Ukraine.
If confirmed, this would mark a significant escalation in the type of weapons provided to Ukrainian forces amid the continued conflict with Russia.
Trump on Monday confirmed that the United States will send Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine, emphasizing that the European Union will cover the costs. The US president had announced last week that Washington would be supplying Kiev with more weapons as the Ukraine war rages on.
He also took a jab at Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying, "We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need because Putin has really surprised a lot of people. He talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening. A little bit of a problem there. I don’t like it."
From criticizing Biden to mirroring his actions
The first time ATACMS were used against Russia was under former US President Joe Biden's authority in November 2024. The decision to provide Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles has been a contentious issue since the war in Ukraine began, with some Pentagon officials concerned about limited US supplies, while White House officials feared escalating the war by supplying the missiles.
Back then, Donald Trump, who was running for the 2024 elections, slammed Biden's decision to authorize the use of long-range missiles as "crazy".
Trump described the strikes as a dangerous escalation in the nearly three-year-long war and suggested that current US policy is exacerbating the conflict.
"It's crazy what's taking place. It's crazy," Trump said. "I disagree very vehemently with sending missiles hundreds of miles into Russia. Why are we doing that? We're just escalating this war and making it worse. That should not have been allowed to be done."
In a separate interview, Trump described the decision as "a very stupid thing." Meanwhile, his allies accused the Biden administration of attempting to ignite World War III.
Read more: Ukraine runs out of long-range US ATACMS missiles: AP
