US confirms transfer of ATACMS to Ukraine: Zelenskyy says they will be used at front

This is reported by PAP.

"The United States recently delivered ATACMS missiles to Ukraine with a range of up to 100 miles (about 160 km - ed.) as part of our continued support for the Ukrainian people against Russia's brutal invasion," said Adrienne Watson, US National Security Council Spokesperson.

According to her, the United States believes that ATACMS missiles will provide a significant increase in Ukraine's combat capabilities, as they will allow hitting targets located deep in Ukraine and deprive Russians of the opportunity to have a "safe haven" in the occupied territory.

"We are committed to continuing to provide Ukraine with the military assistance it needs to succeed on the battlefield and fight for freedom and independence," Watson emphasized.

Instead, the representative of the US National Security Council did not name the type of ATACMS Ukraine received, but it is likely to be ATACMS Block I (M39, MGM-140, MGM-140A). This particular type of missile has a range of 165 km. It also has a cluster warhead.

Zelenskyy said in his evening address that the Ukrainian military had already used the missiles provided by the United States.

The President thanked all of Ukraine's allies for their help and noted that today he was especially grateful to the United States for the ATACMS missiles, which proved effective on the battlefield.

"I thank everyone who is fighting and working for Ukraine! I am grateful to everyone who helps! And today I am especially grateful to the United States. Our agreements with President Biden are being implemented. They are being implemented very accurately – the ATACMS missiles have proved their worth," Zelenskyy said.

Later, Zaluzhnyi posted a video of the work of Ukrainian defenders with ATACMS.

• On the night of October 17, Ukrainian defenders launched successful strikes on Russian helicopters and airfields in Luhansk and Berdyansk.

• Foreign media wrote that during this attack, Ukraine used against Russian troops the US long-range ATACMS missiles, which the US had secretly sent a few days earlier.