Ukraine Buys 70 ATACMS Missiles From Turkey

Ukraine has acquired an arsenal of US-origin weapons from Turkey, including 70 M39 ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles and 12 M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) launchers, pending final approval from Washington. According to Militarny, The proposed permanent third-party transfer was submitted by the US State Department and published in the Congressional Record on Aug. 6, 2026.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Because the hardware is American-made, the transfer from Turkey’s inventory requires US government authorization and congressional notification under the Arms Export Control Act. According to the official transmittal sheets, the transfer includes 12 M270 MLRS launchers, 70 M39 ATACMS missiles, 2,524 M26 unguided 227mm rockets with DPICM cluster warheads, and 47,000 M509A1 203mm cluster artillery shells for 2S7 Pion self-propelled guns. The State Department noted it is prepared to authorize the transfer, stating it aligns with US security assistance objectives. The documents explain that Turkey is seeking to offload older defense articles to fund the modernization of its current systems, while Ukraine needs the firepower to bolster its offensive and defensive capabilities. Deliveries can begin following the mandatory congressional review period. The logistics will be handled by a network of Turkish, Bulgarian, and US defense and logistics contractors possessing the necessary export licenses. Patriot missile delivery shortfalls The influx of offensive firepower from Turkey arrives as Kyiv grapples with a shortage of defensive interceptors. Other Topics of Interest Kyiv’s Saint Sophia Cathedral Launches Official English Audio Guide Kyiv’s 11th-century Saint Sophia Cathedral has launched an official English-language audio guide, opening more than a millennium of Ukrainian and European history to international visitors. Speaking at a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade on Saturday, Aug. 8, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Kyiv has secured an agreement with the US for monthly deliveries of Patriot air defense missiles, but warned that the current volumes are inadequate. Zelensky stated that the 2026 delivery volumes will be lower than those received in 2025. While he declined to specify the exact numbers for security reasons, he admitted the US supply is falling short of Ukraine’s needs. “Who has the anti-missiles and systems? Primarily the manufacturer – the United States of America. Can they help? We are working on it,” Zelensky said. “Will they supply us with missiles every month? Yes, we have agreements. Are these missiles enough? No.” To cover the deficit, the president stated that Ukraine is actively negotiating with European partners – naming Germany, Poland, and Germany – to secure additional interceptors from their existing arsenals. Domestic Patriot production blocked The urgent push to secure imported interceptors from European allies comes as Ukraine’s efforts to manufacture the weapons domestically have stalled. Earlier in August, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker confirmed that Washington will not allow Ukraine to domestically produce Patriot interceptor missiles, walking back earlier commitments made by the Trump administration. Whitaker stated that the advanced Patriot (PAC-3) interceptors are heavily export-controlled, firmly noting that the US does “not allow anybody but US manufacturers to make those.” Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.