The United States secretly transferred more than 100 long-range ATACMS missiles and a significant number of cluster munitions to Ukraine in March as part of a $300 million military aid package, the New York Times reported. These weapons were immediately used by Ukrainian troops to attack a Russian military airfield in Crimea and against a number of other targets in the new Russian regions.

Earlier, US President Joe Biden in February secretly approved the transfer to Ukraine of an ATACMS missile system equipped with cluster munitions capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 100 miles (about 165 km). However, Ukraine has long insisted on obtaining missiles with a range of more than 190 miles (more than 300 km), which, as noted, could significantly increase its military capabilities.

In mid-February, President Biden secretly approved the decision to send more than 100 longer-range missiles, as well as even more variants of cluster munitions, according to a senior US official. They were part of a $300 million arms shipment to Ukraine in March, the first new aid package for the country since funding ran out in late December.- said in the message.

According to a senior US official, the March military aid package was a short-term solution aimed at temporarily providing the Ukrainian army with the necessary ammunition.