By: Chris Cheng

The Biden Administration still refuses to send ATACMs, Army Tactical Missile Systems, to Ukraine, despite the pressure of U.S Lawmakers and the Ukrainian Government in Kyiv. The Pentagon says the number of missiles is fixed, and if sent to Ukraine, would render the U.S unprepared for future conflicts according to The Washington Post.

Ukraine has said the ATACMs would be able to strike deep into Russian command centers, posts and deep inside Russian occupied areas. ATACMs are surface-to-surface artillery weapon systems capable of striking targets well beyond the range of existing Army cannons, rockets, and other missiles.

The Ukraine counteroffensive is going at an unexpected slow pace against Russian minefields and entrenched soldiers. The counter is going slow because of the mines and frequent enemy rocket attacks. The main strategic positions are very well guarded by multiple lines of heavy and dense minefields so the troops could only go “tree by tree,” said a soldier in the counteroffensive. Right now, Ukraine is trying hard to break through and clear the minefields, but it’s a very tough fight.

Kyiv pleads for the missiles, but officials at the Pentagon believes that Ukraine has more urgent needs than ATACMs..

“Without long-range weapons, it is difficult not only to carry out an offensive mission but also to conduct a defensive operation,” President Zelensky said at a July 7 news conference in Prague.

Kyiv has asked for hundreds of these missiles.However, the recent arrival of French SCALP and British Storm Shadow missiles makes the need of ATACMs even less urgent.

The Biden Administration also stated to Kyiv not to use U.S weapons to attack things in Russia. Lockheed Martin still manufactures ATACMs each year, but they ship to other NATO allies. These include Taiwan who ordered 64 M57 ATACMs and Australia who ordered 20 M142 ATACMs launched from HIMARS, U.S. High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System where ATACMs are launched one at a time.