Earlier this month, the United States supplied Ukraine with powerful long-range ballistic missiles for the first time, according to three U.S. officials.

These missiles, known as the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), were used twice by the Ukrainian military within the last week against Russian forces.

The strikes targeted a Russian military airfield in Crimea and Russian forces near the southeastern Ukrainian town of Berdyansk.

The Biden administration had not publicly acknowledged providing ATACMS to Ukraine until now, citing operational security reasons.

President Biden directed his national security team to send the missiles secretly, NBC News reported.

The ATACMS, with a range of up to 300 kilometers, enables Ukraine to target Russian military positions in Crimea and eastern Ukraine.

The revelation coincided with Biden signing a foreign aid package providing significant support to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

Additionally, the administration is preparing a military aid package for Ukraine worth over $1 billion, which includes various equipment already provided to Ukraine.

The decision to send ATACMS was initially concealed due to concerns over military readiness and operational security.

Written by B.C. Begley