\n<\/p>\n
WASHINGTON \u2014 Ukraine is now using long-range U.S. missiles, known as ATACMS, on the battlefield.<\/p>\n
The announcement, shared by President Volodomyr Zelenskyy in his nightly address<\/a>, followed reported strikes on Russian positions earlier in the day \u2014 including on an airfield in occupied Berdyansk.<\/p>\n \u201cATACMS [Army Tactical Missile Systems] have proven themselves,\u201d Zelenskyy said.<\/p>\n Unlike other security assistance sent to Ukraine, these weapons were not discussed publicly before arriving and being put to use. Had such an announcement been made, said a Pentagon official, granted anonymity to speak candidly, Russian forces would have been able to pull their positions behind the missiles\u2019 reach.<\/p>\n According to the official, the ATACMS provided have a range of just over 100 miles, shorter than other versions of the system, which can hit targets up to 180 miles away. The ATACMS being sent, too, are designed to fire cluster munitions, according to the Associated Press.<\/a> Such munitions release dozens of smaller bomblets before hitting a target and were first given to Ukraine by the Biden administration in July.<\/p>\n Funding for the ATACMS, according to the official, came in the last assistance package sent to Ukraine, totaling $200 million. <\/a><\/p>\n The arrival of ATACMS marks the end of an era for Kyiv, having lobbied for the missiles since shortly after the war began. Some critics of the Biden administration argue that the White House has been overly cautious \u2014 deciding against sending specific systems or munitions before ultimately relenting.<\/p>\n Perhaps no system required more no\u2019s before arriving at a yes than ATACMS, denied at first due to concerns about escalating the war with Russia.<\/p>\n President