Washington is reportedly preparing to authorize the transfer of 70 M39 ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles and other weapons worth around $280 million from Türkiye to Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has warned that this planned transfer will “inevitably undermine mutual trust” with both Washington and Ankara.

The US State Department notified Congress earlier this month it was prepared to authorize the re-export of weapons from Turkish stocks to Ukraine. The package reportedly includes 70 M39 ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles, 12 M270 multiple-launch rocket systems, more than 2,500 M26 rockets with cluster warheads, and 47,000 203mm cluster artillery shells.

The total value of the proposed transfers is estimated at around $280 million.

Zakharova stated: “Attempts to use peacemaking rhetoric while simultaneously supplying weapons to Ukrainian Nazis inevitably undermine mutual trust,” noting that Turkish officials had repeatedly maintained Ankara was avoiding deliveries of “lethal” weapons to Kiev.

She described the circumstances surrounding the planned transfer as “extremely contradictory,” adding it was unclear who initiated the re-export or how and when the munitions would reach Ukraine.

Zakharova also questioned why Washington and Ankara had decided to open another “Pandora’s box” while both countries claim a special role in efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict.

Moscow has repeatedly condemned Western weapons deliveries to Ukraine, arguing they prolong hostilities and make the US and other NATO countries direct participants in the conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated last month that Western weapons supplies, military advisers, and satellite intelligence provided to Kiev amounted to “direct participation” in the war against Russia.

Russian officials have also accused Kiev of using Western-supplied long-range weapons against civilian targets. Moscow specifically pointed to a June 2024 ATACMS strike on Sevastopol, where Russian authorities said four people—including two children—were killed and more than 150 injured. The Kremlin claimed the sophistication of US-made missiles meant Washington was directly involved in targeting and operation.

Additionally, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has asserted that NATO military specialists provide Kiev with intelligence and help coordinate precision strikes on homes, energy facilities, schools, and hospitals.