Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. File photograph
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned on Tuesday that Ukraine’s armed forces had used US-supplied ATACMS long-range missiles for the primary time.
“They have performed very accurately. ATACMS have proven themselves,” he mentioned in a night deal with posted on social media, with out giving particulars of when or the place they had been used.
The White Home confirmed the supply for the primary time in an official assertion.
“We believe these ATACMS will provide a significant boost to Ukraine’s battlefield capabilities without risking our (US) military readiness,” Nationwide Safety Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson mentioned in a press release.
ATACMS have a most vary of round 300 kilometres (190 miles) — however Watson mentioned the model “recently” despatched to Ukraine had a decrease vary of 165 kilometres.
“Today, a special thanks to the United States,” Zelenskyy mentioned in a video message. “Our agreements with President Biden are being implemented.”
Russian ambassador to the USA Anatoly Antonov mentioned Wednesday that Washington’s resolution to provide Ukraine with ATACMS long-range missiles was “a grave mistake”.
“The White House’s decision to send long-range missiles to Ukrainians is a grave mistake. The consequences of this step, which was deliberately hidden from the public, will be of the most serious nature,” he mentioned in a press release.
Earlier on Tuesday, Ukraine mentioned it had hit airfields within the Russian-occupied south and east of the nation in a single day, claiming the “successful operation” had destroyed a number of helicopters.
In a mission dubbed “Operation Dragonfly”, Kyiv’s particular forces mentioned on social media they’d attacked airfields in southern Berdyansk and japanese Lugansk.
Russian officers had claimed earlier on Tuesday that the US-supplied missiles had been used within the assault on Berdyansk.
A Moscow-backed official within the Russian-controlled a part of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia area, Vladimir Rogov, mentioned on Telegram that fragments of ATACMS missiles had been discovered on the website of the strike.
An influential Russian Telegram channel, Rybar, which has shut ties with Moscow’s forces, additionally alleged ATACMS missiles had been used within the assault.
Kyiv, which launched its counteroffensive in opposition to Russian forces this summer season, has claimed to have carried out a number of operations in occupied territory.
Berdyansk fell to Russian forces early of their invasion final yr. Lugansk has principally been managed by pro-Russia forces since 2014.
Kyiv claimed to have destroyed 9 helicopters, an air defence launcher, an ammunition warehouse and mentioned it had broken runways within the in a single day strikes.
It additionally claimed Russian forces had suffered losses within the operation.
Zelenskyy mentioned Kyiv’s “assault operations” had achieved outcomes.
“I am grateful to those who are effectively destroying the occupiers’ logistics bases on our land,” he mentioned in a press release.
He additionally thanked “every warrior” for defending key frontline areas within the east and south of the nation.
Kyiv has for months requested the West to provide it with long-range weapons for its counteroffensive, which has been slower than anticipated.