The United States has provided long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine by direct order of President Joe Biden. State Department spokesman Vedan Patel said this at a briefing, BBC reports.
Biden allowed Ukraine to receive missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometres back in February. The information was kept secret for security reasons.
According to Patel, the United States "did not announce this initially to ensure Ukraine's operational security at their request."
It is unclear how many weapons have already been sent, but US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Washington plans to send more.
"They will make a difference. But as I said earlier here... there is no silver bullet," he said.
Ukraine used the longer-range missiles for the first time last week to strike a Russian airfield in occupied Crimea, Reuters quoted an unnamed US official as saying.
- Ukraine has only had medium-range ATCAMS missiles, but has called for long-range missiles to hit enemy targets deep in occupied territory.
- Yesterday, the Pentagon confirmed the transfer of long-range missiles.