The United States has provided Ukraine with long-range tactical ballistic missiles known as ATACMS, U.S. defense department spokesman Major Charlie Dietz told VOA.
The ballistic missiles have a range of up to 300 kilometers, nearly doubling the striking distance of Ukraine’s missiles.
The missiles were sent to Ukraine as part of the United States’ $300 million military aid package provided to Kyiv in mid-March, Dietz said. He would not confirm whether more ATACMS are being sent in the latest aid package.
Two U.S. officials have confirmed to VOA that Ukraine used the ATACMS on Tuesday night. Other media outlets are reporting that the weapons were first used last week on Russian targets in the illegally annexed Crimean Peninsula.
