US to Provide Ukraine with Long-Range Missiles for First Time: Report

The United States will provide Ukraine with a small number of long-range missiles for the first time to bolster its battlefield capabilities against Russia, a new report said Friday — just one day after the U.S. said it wasn’t yet prepared to make that move.

President Joe Biden made the commitment to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, NBC News reported, citing four officials familiar with the talks.

It was not immediately clear when the weaponry, known as the Army Tactical Missile System, would be delivered to Ukraine, or when an official announcement would be made.

The deal was reported just one day after U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that Biden did not presently support arming Ukraine with ATACMS.

"To date, [President Biden] has determined that he would not provide ATACMS, but he has also not taken it off the table in the future," Sullivan said during a White House press briefing on Thursday.

With a range of up to 190 miles, the ATACMS will enhance Ukraine’s ability to strike key targets deep behind enemy lines.

U.S. lawmakers have been divided on the prospect of arming Ukraine with the ATACMS.

Proponents argued that the upgraded firepower could help Ukraine break a stubborn stalemate with Russian lines and repel the invasion for good. Critics, however, said that the U.S. contributing longer-range weapons could escalate tensions with Russia.

Biden on Thursday committed to providing Ukraine with another $325 million in military assistance.

The reported commitment of ATACMS marks the latest instance of the Pentagon providing Ukraine with support it had previously denied.

The White House once refused to provide Ukraine with M-1 Abrams battle tanks, Patriot missile interceptors and F-16 fighter jet training, only to later provide or commit to provide each as the war has dragged on.