Ukraine war: US secretly sends long-range missiles to help - Adomonline.com

Ukraine has begun using long-range ballistic missiles secretly provided by the US against invading Russian forces, American officials have confirmed.

They have already been used at least once to strike Russian targets in occupied Crimea, US media report.

However, Mr Biden is said to have secretly given the green light to send the long-range system – which can fire missiles to distances of up to 300km (186 miles) – in February.

It is not clear how many of the weapons have already been sent, but US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Washington planned to send more.

Recent months have seen Kyiv step up its calls for Western assistance as its stocks of ammunition are depleted and Russia makes steady gains.

Ukrainian forces have suffered from a shortage of ammunition and air defence systems in recent months, and officials have blamed delays in military aid from the US and other Western allies for the loss of lives and territory.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, tens of thousands of people, most of them soldiers, have been killed or injured on both sides and millions of people have fled their homes.