In a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, US President Joe Biden has reportedly pledged to provide advanced long-range missiles to Ukraine to bolster its counter-offensive efforts. According to US media reports, Ukraine will receive ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missiles with a striking range of up to 190 miles (300 kilometers). These missiles would grant Ukraine the capability to target Russian positions deep behind the front lines.

The attack on the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea fleet in annexed Crimea, which took place recently and involved Ukrainian Storm Shadow missiles supplied by Britain and France, underscores the strategic significance of providing Ukraine with advanced weaponry.

Unnamed US officials, cited by NBC News and the Wall Street Journal, revealed that President Biden informed his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, about the plan during their meeting at the White House. It is expected that a "small number" of ATACMS missiles will be dispatched to Ukraine in the coming weeks.

Furthermore, reports suggest that the ATACMS missiles provided to Ukraine will be armed with cluster bomblets, enhancing their effectiveness in targeting a wide range of military assets.

While neither the US nor Ukraine has officially confirmed these reports, after their meeting, the Biden administration did announce an additional $325 million in military aid for Ukraine. This aid package includes artillery and ammunition, with the delivery of America's Abrams tanks to Kyiv scheduled for next week.

The issue of ATACMS missiles has been a topic of interest in the negotiations between the two leaders. President Zelensky, during his visit to Canada, expressed optimism about reaching an agreement with President Biden, emphasizing that "not everything depends on Ukraine."

Ukraine has long sought ATACMS missiles to strengthen its counter-offensive in the south, as they could potentially disrupt key Russian supply lines, command positions, and logistical hubs deep within occupied Ukrainian territories. This move would force Moscow to relocate these assets further away, complicating its efforts to resupply troops and weaponry. Ukrainian officials believe that Russian-held positions in the southern regions, including Crimea, would become particularly vulnerable with the introduction of ATACMS missiles.

The conflict between Ukraine and Russia escalated in February 2022 when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Initially, the Biden administration hesitated to provide Ukraine with advanced weaponry, fearing that such missiles could escalate tensions and bring the two nuclear-armed nations closer to a direct confrontation. However, the US stance has shifted over time, with Ukraine receiving high-precision Himars long-range rocket systems and Patriot air defense missiles in recent months. The provision of ATACMS missiles marks another significant step in this evolving dynamic of support to Ukraine.