Longer-range ATACMS have a range of about 300km (186 miles), nearly double the range of mid-range ATACMS previously sent by the US.
Ukraine has been struggling with a shortage of weapons amidst ongoing conflict with Russia.
Ukraine has used the longer-range ATACMS twice against Russian forces in Crimea and Berdyansk.
United States quietly sent long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine in March, 2024.
In a significant development, the United States has secretly supplied Ukraine with long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) as part of its military support package. The longer-range ATACMS, which can hit targets as far as 300km (186 miles) away, have been used by Ukraine twice against Russian forces.
The decision to provide the longer-range missiles was made in February by President Joe Biden and included in a $300m aid package announced the following month. The weapons were sent on the condition they be used only inside Ukrainian sovereign territory.
Ukraine has been struggling with a shortage of weapons amidst ongoing conflict with Russia, particularly in areas such as Crimea and Berdyansk. The longer-range ATACMS have provided Ukraine with a strategic advantage, allowing them to strike deeper into Russian-occupied territories.
The use of these missiles marks a shift in the conflict dynamics and raises concerns about potential escalation between Russia and Ukraine. However, U.S. officials maintain that the weapons are intended for defensive purposes only.
Here's a closer look at what we know so far:
The United States quietly sent long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine as part of a military support package in March.
Ukraine has used the longer-range ATACMS twice, targeting Russian forces in Crimea and Berdyansk.
The longer-range ATACMS have a range of about 300km (186 miles), nearly double the range of mid-range ATACMS previously sent by the US.
Washington had long been reluctant to provide Ukraine with longer-range weapons due to concerns they could be used on targets deep inside Russian territory and escalate the conflict.
Sources:
Al Jazeera, Newsweek, The New York Times, The Guardian
The Pentagon confirmed providing Ukraine with a long-range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) that can reach Russian-occupied areas.
Ukraine continued to press the Biden administration for longer-range versions of the ATACMS.
President Joe Biden directed his team to provide Ukraine with a significant number of ATACMS missiles for use inside Ukrainian territory against Russian invaders.
The shipment of longer-range ATACMS was secretly included in a $300 million emergency package sent to Ukraine in mid-March.
Retired Gen. Robert Abrams said that if used correctly, the ATACMS can set the Russian campaign back a little.
Two U.S. officials confirmed that the longer-range missiles were employed over the last week, with one strike deep into the Crimean Peninsula and another near Berdyansk.
Accuracy
President Joe Biden secretly approved sending long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine in mid-February.
Ukraine has begun using the long-range Atacms, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area in recent days.
Deception
(80%)
The article reports on the US providing Ukraine with long-range missiles for use against Russian invaders. The author does not make any editorializing or pontification statements in the provided text. However, there are instances of selective reporting and potential sensationalism. The article focuses on the fact that these missiles can reach deep into Russian-occupied areas and even strike Russia itself, implying a potential escalation of the conflict. While this is true, it does not provide any context about why these missiles were necessary or how they will be used to defend Ukraine against Russian aggression. The article also mentions that Ukraine first used the missiles last week in an attack on Crimea and another attack near Berdyansk, but it does not disclose any sources for this information. This selective reporting and potential sensationalism reduce the transparency of the article and may mislead readers into believing that these attacks were recent escalations in the conflict when they may have been part of an ongoing response to Russian aggression.
The missiles, also known as ATACMS, have a maximum range of 186 miles.
Ukraine first used them over the past week, two U.S. officials said.
Fallacies
(95%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy when the author quotes Jake Sullivan stating that 'They have used those [long-range missiles] on the battlefield.' This statement is meant to imply that since Russia has used long-range missiles, it is acceptable for Ukraine to use them as well. However, this does not logically follow and does not justify the use of long-range missiles by Ukraine in this context.
'They have used those [long-range missiles] on the battlefield.', - Jake Sullivan
The United States quietly sent long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine as part of a package of military support in March.
Ukraine has used the longer-range ATACMS twice, according to US officials.
The longer-range ATACMS can hit targets as far as 300km (186 miles) away, nearly double the range of the mid-range ATACMS previously sent by the US.
Washington had long been reluctant to provide Ukraine with the longer-range weapon amid concerns they could be used on targets deep inside Russian territory and escalate the conflict.
In February, Biden approved the delivery of these missiles, and a significant number was included in a $300m aid package announced the following month.
The weapons were sent on the condition they be used only inside Ukrainian sovereign territory.
President Biden secretly approved sending long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine in mid-February.
Ukrainian forces used the longer-range ATACMS missiles for the first time, striking a Russian military airfield in Crimea and Russian troops in southeastern Ukraine.
The longer-range version of the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) has a range of about 190 miles and can reach deeper into occupied Ukraine, including Crimea.
Ukraine used the longer-range missiles to strike Russian troops in the port city of Berdiansk on the Sea of Azov overnight on Tuesday.
President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky for the successful attack but did not elaborate on it in an address that evening.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
The article contains an appeal to authority when it states that 'a senior U.S. official' confirmed the use of long-range ATACMS by Ukrainian forces and the shipment of these missiles to Ukraine by the United States. However, no fallacies were found in the author's assertions.
a senior U.S. official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss operational matters.
Ukraine has begun using the long-range Atacms, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area in recent days.
Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said a group of Ukrainian children were 'in Qatar for medical, mental, and social recovery'
Ukrainian drones attacked oil facilities in western Russia
Russian forces hit a Ukrainian drone production facility and a Ukrainian army fuel depot
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains a few fallacies. It uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating that Ukraine has begun using the long-range Atacms and bombing Russian military airfields in Crimea and other occupied areas. This is an example of emotive language that exaggerates the situation without providing evidence for these specific attacks. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction of Russia as an aggressor deploying long-range ballistic missiles in Ukraine, while Ukraine is portrayed as a victim receiving aid from the US to defend itself. This oversimplifies the complex nature of the conflict and ignores the broader political context.
Ukraine has begun using the long-range Atacms, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area in recent days, two US officials have told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The era of peace in Europe is over
This is a fight against people who are fleeing the army,
