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In First, Ukraine Uses U.S.-Supplied Long-Range ATACMS – Zelensky

president.gov.ua

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Ukraine's armed forces had used U.S.-supplied ATACMS long-range missiles for the first time.

"They have performed very accurately. ATACMS have proven themselves," he said in an evening address posted on social media, without giving details of when or where they were used.

The United States had not previously said publicly that it had delivered the missile systems to Kyiv.

ATACMS have a maximum range of around 300 kilometers (190 miles).

"Today, a special thanks to the United States," Zelensky said in a video message. "Our agreements with President Biden are being implemented."

Earlier on Tuesday, Ukraine said it had hit airfields in the Russian-occupied south and east of the country overnight, claiming the "successful operation" had destroyed several helicopters.

In a mission dubbed "Operation Dragonfly," Kyiv's special forces said on social media they had attacked airfields in southern Berdiansk and eastern Luhansk.

Russian officials had claimed earlier on Tuesday that the U.S.-supplied missiles had been used in the attack on Berdiansk.

A Moscow-backed official in the Russian-controlled part of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, Vladimir Rogov, said on Telegram that fragments of ATACMS missiles had been found at the site of the strike.

An influential Russian Telegram channel, Rybar, which has close ties with Moscow's forces, also alleged ATACMS missiles were used in the attack.

Kyiv, which launched its counteroffensive against Russian forces this summer, has claimed to have carried out several operations in occupied territory.

Berdiansk fell to Russian forces early in their invasion last year. Lugansk has mostly been controlled by pro-Russia forces since 2014.

Kyiv claimed to have destroyed nine helicopters, an air defense launcher, an ammunition warehouse and said it had damaged runways in the overnight strikes.

It also claimed Russian forces had suffered losses in the operation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv's "assault operations" had achieved results.

"I am grateful to those who are effectively destroying the occupiers' logistics bases on our land," he said in a statement.

He also thanked "every warrior" for defending key frontline areas in the east and south of the country.

Kyiv has for months asked the West to supply it with long-range weapons for its counteroffensive, which has been slower than expected.

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