On Wednesday, it was reported that President Joe Biden had approved the delivery of a long-range Atacms missile system to Ukraine in February. The shipment of the missiles was kept secret to avoid alerting the Russians. The missiles arrived in Ukraine in April and were immediately deployed on the eastern front by Ukrainian forces, who used them to attack Russian military targets in Crimea and southeastern Ukraine.
Russian officials, including Ambassador Anatoly Antonov, condemned the move, stating that it increased the security threat to Russian territories, particularly Crimea and Sevastopol. The Atacms system was seen as a direct threat to the Crimean bridge, with fears that Ukraine could target the bridge with the missiles and lead to accusations of financing terrorist activities from the US.
The missile delivery was part of a larger arms shipment worth $300 million, which included artillery ammunition to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. However, long-range missile systems like Atacms had not been publicly discussed before. Ukraine had long sought long-range missile systems, with Germany being requested for Taurus missiles. Chancellor Olaf Scholz was hesitant to provide Taurus missiles due to concerns over an escalation in conflict.
Despite these concerns, the United States proceeded with the delivery of the Atacms system to Ukraine, indicating a shift in its approach towards resolving the conflict. This move highlighted ongoing tensions between Ukraine, Russia and NATO allies with Europe pledging to support Ukraine against Russian aggression.
In conclusion, President Biden’s decision to deliver long-range Atacms missile systems to Ukraine has sparked controversy among world leaders and raised concerns over escalation of conflict. However, this move shows a willingness from United States towards providing more military support for its NATO allies and supporting their defense against aggression from neighboring countries like Russia.