Zelenskyy Confirms Use of Long-Range ATACMS Missiles

Facts

• Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed media reports that Ukraine has used US-supplied long-range ATACMS missiles against Russian forces.¹
• In his nightly address to Ukrainians on Tuesday, Zelenskyy said: 'Today, special thanks to the United States. Our agreements with President Biden are being implemented. Very accurately — ATACMS proved themselves.'²
• This comes after the Wall Street Journal reported that Washington had 'secretly' supplied Kyiv with the Army Tactical Missile Systems in recent days.³
• After photos of the missiles' submunitions inside Ukraine were shared online, multiple US officials admitted that Kyiv had used the ATACMS to target Russia's Berdyansk and Luhansk airfields.⁴
• The ATACMS variant Ukraine has used reportedly carries a cluster munition and has a range of at least 100 miles.⁵
• Since the war began in February 2022, the Biden administration has provided more than $75B in aid to Ukraine, including through humanitarian, financial, and military support.⁶

Sources: ¹VOA, ²Al Jazeera, ³The Wall Street Journal, ⁴CNN, ⁵CBS and ⁶Council on Foreign Relations.

Narratives

• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by XINHUA. Despite Russia's warnings, the US continues its provocations by sending more and more advanced weaponry with expanded capabilities to Kyiv. Providing Ukraine with long-range missiles makes the US party to the conflict between Kyiv and Moscow, which could lead to disastrous consequences.
• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Politico. ATACMS will play a vital role in the Ukrainian counteroffensive and disrupt Russian supply lines, air bases, and rail networks within occupied Ukrainian territory. These weapons will allow Ukrainian troops to strike behind Russian lines while staying out of firing range, a justified course of action in the context of Russia's invasion.

Predictions