Reporter Rikki Schlott Provides Live Updates from Columbia University

Rikki Schlott, a reporter, is currently providing live updates from Columbia University on April 25, 2024. The focus of her reporting is the recent revelation that the United States has been secretly supplying Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles, which have a range of approximately 300 kilometers. This delivery of advanced weaponry was previously unknown to the public.

According to an assessment by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the months-long delay in U.S. military aid to Ukraine may have allowed Russian forces time to adapt and mitigate the effectiveness of potential ATACMS strikes. However, the ISW also notes that the arrival of these missiles in sufficient quantities will enable Ukrainian forces to disrupt Russian logistics and pose a threat to Russian airfields in deep rear areas, although the impact may be somewhat reduced due to Russia's potential countermeasures.

Schlott reports that Ukrainian forces have already utilized some of the recently acquired ATACMS missiles to conduct strikes on a Russian airfield in Dzhankoi, Crimea. These strikes resulted in the destruction of several Russian air defense assets at the targeted location.

Why this matters: The revelation of the U.S. secretly providing long-range missiles to Ukraine marks a significant escalation in military support and has the potential to alter the dynamics of the ongoing conflict. The use of these advanced weapons by Ukrainian forces against Russian targets in Crimea demonstrates their willingness to strike deep into Russian-controlled territory.

As Schlott continues her live reporting from Columbia University, more details are expected to emerge regarding the implications of the U.S. supplying ATACMS missiles to Ukraine and the potential impact on the conflict. The ISW's assessment highlights the complex interplay between the delivery of advanced weaponry and the adaptability of Russian forces in response to these new threats.

Key Takeaways

• U.S. secretly supplied Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles, previously unknown.
• Ukraine used ATACMS to strike Russian airfield in Crimea, destroying air defenses.
• Delayed U.S. aid may have allowed Russia to adapt, reducing ATACMS' impact.
• ATACMS delivery marks significant escalation, altering conflict dynamics.
• Complex interplay between advanced weapons and Russia's adaptability to new threats.