Russia claims its air defense systems have shot down six US-made ATACMS military tactical missile systems in the past 24 hours. In recent weeks, the United States has secretly delivered missiles to Ukraine as part of a military aid package worth $300 million (over seven billion crowns). American officials confirmed the delivery at the behest of US President Joe Biden. The information was brought by the Reuters agency.
The Russian Defense Ministry did not say where the missiles were shot down. It said the air defenses neutralized ten Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, six US-made ATACMS tactical missiles and two French-made Hammer guided aerial bombs.
The Russian-backed head of Crimea’s occupation administration, Sergei Aksyonov, said the ATACMS missiles were shot down over Crimea. He posted a photograph of what he described as unfired missiles on a telegram.
The Biden administration has been debating for months whether ATACMS missiles with a range of up to 300 km will be sent to Ukraine. The medium-range missiles were delivered last September.
