The Biden Administration has refused to send long-range Army missiles to the Kyiv government and has not succumbed to pressure from U.S. lawmakers about Ukrainian resources. While there has been speculation that the missiles will eventually be approved, the Administration maintains that there has been no change in U.S. policy regarding the transfer of the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) to Ukraine. The Pentagon believes that Ukraine has more pressing needs than ATACMS and worries that sending enough to Ukraine to make a difference on the battlefield would severely undercut U.S. readiness for other possible conflicts.
Ukraine has requested hundreds of missiles for Russo-Ukrainian War, but the Biden administration has been hesitant to comply due to concerns about interfering with Russian territory. However, the administration has now complied with public statements and written pledges from Kyiv not to use U.S.-supplied weapons to target Russians beyond the border.
Throughout the Russo-Ukrainian War, Britain and France have supplied cruise missiles with a range nearly three times as far as what was previously available to Ukraine, but about 50 miles short of the ATACMS range. The Administration is confident that these weapons will be used by Ukraine, following agreements not to attack Russian soil.
The Russians have laid minefields, trenches, and tank traps on defensive lines along the 600-mile front line, causing delays in the Ukrainian offensive.
“All border guards died heroically but did not give up. They will be awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine posthumously,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
While the ATACMS would be game-changers in Ukraine, the Administration believes that it would limit the use of other U.S. missile systems. The U.S. military is currently facing a significant concern regarding the limited amount of ATACMS available for export. Since 2018, the Army has signed three contracts with Lockheed Martin, amounting to $1 billion, to continue producing ATACMS for foreign sales.
Ukraine has requested hundreds of missiles for Russo-Ukrainian War, but the Biden administration has been hesitant to comply due to concerns about interfering with Russian territory. However, the administration has now complied with public statements and written pledges from Kyiv not to use U.S.-supplied weapons to target Russians beyond the border.
Throughout the Russo-Ukrainian War, Britain and France have supplied cruise missiles with a range nearly three times as far as what was previously available to Ukraine, but about 50 miles short of the ATACMS range. The Administration is confident that these weapons will be used by Ukraine, following agreements not to attack Russian soil.
The Russians have laid minefields, trenches, and tank traps on defensive lines along the 600-mile front line, causing delays in the Ukrainian offensive.
“All border guards died heroically but did not give up. They will be awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine posthumously,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
While the ATACMS would be game-changers in Ukraine, the Administration believes that it would limit the use of other U.S. missile systems. The U.S. military is currently facing a significant concern regarding the limited amount of ATACMS available for export. Since 2018, the Army has signed three contracts with Lockheed Martin, amounting to $1 billion, to continue producing ATACMS for foreign sales.
