The Kremlin said on Wednesday that Russia would further expand its "buffer zone" inside Ukraine if Kyiv takes delivery of longer-range ATACM missiles from the United States that allow it to strike deeper inside Russia.

New missiles long sought by Ukraine from the U.S. provide nearly double the striking distance — up to 190 miles — of the midrange version.

A big, new package of U.S. military aid will help Ukraine avoid defeat in its war with Russia. Winning will still be a long slog. The arms and ammunition in the $61 billion military aid package should enable Ukraine to slow the Russian army’s bloody advances and block its strikes on troops and civilians.

It is not clear how many of the weapons have been sent to Ukraine (file pic) Ukraine has begun defending territory with long-range ballistic missiles secretly provided by the United States, US officials have confirmed.

The ATACMS missiles were fired by Ukraine for first time last week and more are coming in a new US aid package, officials say