In a significant development, President Joe Biden of the United States has reportedly informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Washington’s decision to supply Kyiv with Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) missiles, according to reports by US broadcaster NBC News.

Ukraine has been persistently seeking the provision of ATACMS long-range missiles from the Biden administration. These missiles are intended to aid in striking supply lines, airbases, and rail networks situated deep within the regions of Ukraine currently occupied by Russia.

Despite these requests and a recent $325 million military aid package announced by the US for Ukraine, the White House had not made any public announcement regarding the provision of the ATACMS system. Interestingly, the missiles were not publicly discussed during President Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington, D.C., for talks with President Biden.

Both the White House and the Pentagon have refrained from commenting on the NBC report. When asked about any commitments related to ATACMS during his meetings at the Department of Defense, Zelenskyy did not provide a direct response. However, he did highlight that the US remains the largest single supplier of weaponry to Ukraine, emphasising ongoing discussions on various types of weapons and defence systems.

It’s worth noting that Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously issued a warning, stating that the supply of longer-range missiles to Ukraine would be seen as crossing a “red line,” and the US would be considered “a party to the conflict” in Ukraine if such weapons were provided.

Furthermore, reports suggest that the US intends to provide Ukraine with a version of the ATACMS armed with cluster bomblets, which can travel up to 306 kilometres (190 miles). The ATACMS system is designed for deep attacks against enemy second-echelon forces and can target command and control centres, air defences, and logistics sites well behind the front lines.

As this development unfolds, it adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region and is expected to be closely monitored by international observers. The decision to provide ATACMS missiles to Ukraine reflects the evolving dynamics in the ongoing conflict and US-Ukraine relations.