--- title: "Russia demands US and Turkey explain possible ATACMS transfer to Ukraine" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/russia-demands-us-and-turkey-explain-possible-atacms-transfer-to-ukraine" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/russia-demands-us-and-turkey-explain-possible-atacms-transfer-to-ukraine" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/russia-demands-us-and-turkey-explain-possible-atacms-transfer-to-ukraine.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/russia-demands-us-and-turkey-explain-possible-atacms-transfer-to-ukraine" category: "Politics" area: "Ukraine" published: "2026-08-15T17:45:52.385Z" source_reported: "2026-08-15T17:13:00.000Z" updated: "2026-08-15T17:45:52.385Z" trust_score: 86 critic_score: 95 hype_score: 15 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-15T20:00:28.308383+00:00" --- # Russia demands US and Turkey explain possible ATACMS transfer to Ukraine *Moscow says the reported deal for 70 missiles and 50,000 rounds would damage relations with both countries* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 86 of 100, higher is better. Trust 86: multiple named officials, official statement, specific figures with sources, and two independent full reports. - Craft 95 of 100, higher is better. Critic 95: explains relevance, quotes officials, separates facts, provides specific data, and outlines next steps. - Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Hype 15: language is measured; no clickbait or exaggerated claims beyond the factual report. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the reported transfer of 70 ATACMS missiles and 50,000 rounds of ammunition from Turkey to Ukraine would damage relations with Washington and Ankara. - The US Congress published details of the proposed deal, which includes 12 missile launchers and weapons valued at around $280 million. - Zakharova questioned the move, noting that both the US and Turkey have presented themselves as mediators in the war. - No response from Washington or Ankara has been reported by the outlets below. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on 15 August 2026 that it had asked the United States and Turkey for explanations about a possible transfer of US-made ATACMS missiles and ammunition to Ukraine. The request followed reports that Turkey had sought Washington’s approval to send the weapons, which are stored in Turkish stockpiles, to Kyiv. Maria Zakharova, the ministry’s spokesperson, said the transfer would cause “serious damage” to Russia’s bilateral relations with both countries. She cited information published by the US Congress, which listed 12 missile launchers, 70 ATACMS missiles and around 50,000 rounds of ammunition as part of the proposed deal. Zakharova said the weapons would not alter the course of the war but would undermine trust. Zakharova also questioned the timing, noting that both the US and Turkey have positioned themselves as mediators in the conflict. She said the move contradicted assurances from Turkish officials that Ankara avoids supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine. The US State Department has not commented on the reports, according to the outlets below. ## What the reports disagree on The centre-rated Moscow Times reported that Turkey had requested permission from Washington to send tens of thousands of artillery projectiles and cluster munitions rockets to Ukraine, produced under a 1987 US license. EFE, also centre-rated, did not mention cluster munitions or the 1987 license in its report. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mentioned that Zakharova acknowledged the weapons would not significantly alter the course of the war. The left-rated digest from Le Monde did not include the specific number of missiles or rounds involved. Neither the left nor the right digests reported that the US has not responded to the Russian request for explanations. ## Who covered it Shares of the 12 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 17% (2) - Centre: 25% (3) - Right: 58% (7) 15 of 27 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-15T20:00:28.308383+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 7 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-15T20:15:11.418Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated digest from Le Monde led on the diplomatic consequences of the reported transfer. It quoted Zakharova accusing Ankara of “trying to use peacekeeping rhetoric while simultaneously providing weapons” to Ukraine. The digest did not mention the specific number of missiles or rounds involved. ### Centre - EFE’s full report led on Zakharova’s warning that the transfer would damage relations with Washington and Ankara. It included the full list of weapons cited by the US Congress and noted that the weapons were manufactured in the US but stored in Turkey. The Moscow Times’ full report emphasised the cluster munitions aspect, reporting that Turkey had requested permission to send decades-old artillery projectiles and cluster munitions rockets to Ukraine. ### Right - The right-rated digests from ussanews.com, Welt, La Razón and the Times of India all led on Zakharova’s warning that the transfer would “undermine mutual trust” or “damage relations”. ussanews.com and La Razón included the $280 million valuation of the weapons. Welt’s digest quoted Zakharova’s phrase “lethal goods” and described the transfer as “a further Pandora’s box”. None of the right-rated digests mentioned the cluster munitions aspect reported by the Moscow Times. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - low: 1 - mixed: 2 - high: 8 - unknown: 16 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Proceso Digital](https://proceso.hn/rusia-pide-a-eeuu-y-turquia-explicaciones-sobre-posible-suministro-de-armas-a-ucrania) — Russia Asks the US and Turkey for Explanations About Possible Supply of Weapons to Ukraine - [Novinky.cz](https://novinky.cz/clanek/valka-na-ukrajine-co-to-ma-byt-rusko-chce-od-turecka-a-usa-vysvetleni-moznych-dodavek-zbrani-ukrajine-40592927) — What Is This Supposed to Be? Russia Wants an Explanation From Turkey and the US About Possible Arms Supplies to Ukraine - [Digi 24](https://digi24.ro/stiri/externe/rusia/rusia-cere-lamuriri-turciei-si-statelor-unite-cu-privire-la-o-posibila-livrare-de-arme-catre-ucraina-nu-este-prea-tarziu-3907875) — Russia Calls for "Clarifications From Turkey and the United States on a Possible Delivery of Weapons to Ukraine: "It Is Not Too Late. - [RPP](https://rpp.pe/mundo/rusia/rusia-pide-a-eeuu-y-turquia-explicaciones-sobre-posible-suministro-de-armas-a-ucrania-noticia-1701771) — Russia Asks the US and Turkey to Explain Possible Supply of Weapons to Ukraine - [De Telegraaf](https://telegraaf.nl/buitenland/live-rusland-hekelt-amerikaans-turkse-wapendeal-met-oekrane-zal-enkel-einde-van-regime-van-kiev-uitstellen/160065617.html) — Russia Denounces US-Turkish Arms Deal with Ukraine: 'Will only Delay the End of the Kyiv Regime' - [Kurier](https://kurier.at/politik/ausland/russland-usa-und-tuerkei-sollen-waffenlieferung-an-ukraine-erklaeren/403184141) — Russia: US and Turkey to Declare Arms Delivery to Ukraine - [Gazeta.ua](https://gazeta.ua/articles/politics/_rosiya-oburilasya-mozhlivimi-postavkami-ukrayini-raket-atacms-cherez-turechchinu/1256695) — Russia Was Able to Supply Ukraine with ATACMS Missiles Through Turkey - [Aydınlık](https://aydinlik.com.tr/haber/rusyadan-turkiye-ve-abdye-resmi-aciklama-cagrisi-ukraynaya-silah-sevkiyati-iddiasi-gundemde-586797) — Russia Calls on Türkiye and the US to Provide Official Explanations! Allegations of Arms Shipments to Ukraine Are on the Agenda. - [ussanews.com](https://ussanews.com/2026/08/15/us-turkiye-arms-transfer-to-ukraine-undermines-trust-moscow) — US-Türkiye arms transfer to Ukraine ‘undermines trust’ – Moscow - [Welt](https://welt.de/politik/article6a80944aa87e8142c31d1347/maria-sacharowa-moskau-kritisiert-das-vollpumpen-der-selenskyj-junta-mit-waffen.html) — Maria Sakharov: Moscow Criticises "the Full Pumping of Selenskyy-Yunta with Weapons" - [Aletho News](https://alethonews.com/2026/08/15/russia-requests-clarification-from-us-turkiye-over-plans-to-supply-weapons-to-ukraine) — Russia Requests Clarification From US, Turkiye Over Plans to Supply Weapons to Ukraine - [La Razón](https://larazon.es/internacional/rusia-exige-explicaciones-turquia-envio-misiles-atacms-ucrania_202608156a809416a5690f04737b96d7.html) — Russia Demands Explanations to the US and Turkey for Sending ATACMS Missiles to Ukraine - [Le Monde](https://lemonde.fr/international/live/2026/08/15/en-direct-guerre-en-ukraine-un-eventuel-transfert-de-munitions-d-ankara-a-kiev-compromettrait-gravement-les-relations-entre-la-russie-et-la-turquie-juge-moscou_6741928_3210.html) — IN DIRECT, War in Ukraine: a Possible Transfer of Ammunition From Ankara to Kiev Would "Seriously" Undermine Relations Between Russia and Turkey, Moscow Judge - [Al Arabiya](https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2026/08/15/russia-seeks-explanation-from-us-and-turkey-over-reports-of-possible-arms-transfer) — Russia seeks explanation from US and Turkey over reports of possible arms transfer - [Polsat News](https://polsatnews.pl/wiadomosc/2026-08-15/powazna-szkoda-dla-naszych-stosunkow-rosja-wzywa-usa-do-wyjasnien) — "Opening Pandora's Box." Russia Calls on the US for Explanations. - [EFE](https://efe.com/english/latest-news/2026-08-15/russia-us-turkey-ukraine-arms-explanations) — Russia questions US, Turkey over potential Ukraine arms deal - [RTVI](https://rtvi.com/news/agoniya-rezhima-v-mid-nazvali-tureczkij-transfer-oruzhiya-kievu-yashhikom-pandory) — "Agonia of the Regime": at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, They Called the Turkish "Transfer" of Arms to Kieva the Pandora's Box. - [Portfolio](https://portfolio.hu/global/20260815/titokban-oriasi-fegyverarzenalt-adna-at-ukrajnanak-a-nato-ket-legerosebb-hadereje-elszakadt-a-cerna-moszkvaban-856502) — NATO's Two Most Powerful Forces Would Secretly Hand over a Huge Arsenal of Weapons to Ukraine, the Thread Has Been Broken in Moscow - [Islamabad Post](https://islamabadpost.com.pk/russia-seeks-explanation-from-us-and-turkey-over-reports-of-possible-arms-transfer) — Russia seeks explanation from US and Turkey over reports of possible arms transfer - [The Moscow Times](https://themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/15/russia-seeks-explanation-from-us-and-turkey-over-reports-of-possible-arms-transfer-a93505) — Russia Seeks Explanation From U.S. and Turkey Over Reports of Possible Arms Transfer - [CNN Greece](https://cnn.gr/kosmos/story/548010/i-zaxarova-proeidopoiei-ipa-kai-tourkia-i-metafora-oplon-stin-oukrania-tha-prokalesei-zimia) — Zakharova Warns US and Turkey: Transferring Weapons to Ukraine Will Cause Damage - [noticiaslatam.lat](https://noticiaslatam.lat/20260815/socavan-la-confianza-la-cancilleria-rusa-advierte-que-el-suministro-de-armas-a-kiev-deteriora-las-1174685833.html) — "Unleash Trust": Russian Foreign Ministry Warns that the Supply of Weapons to Kiev Undermines Diplomatic Relations with Moscow - [Naftemporiki](https://naftemporiki.gr/kosmos/2150440/zacharova-proeidopoiei-gia-sovari-zimia-stis-scheseis-me-ipa-kai-toyrkia-an-metaferoyn-opla-sto-kievo) — Zakharova: Warns of "Serious Damage" to Relations with US and Turkey if They Transfer Weapons to Kiev - [Times of India](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/russia-seeks-explanation-from-us-and-turkey-over-reports-of-possible-arms-transfer/articleshow/133263840.cms) — Russia seeks explanation from US and Turkey over reports of possible arms transfer - [Hospodárske Noviny](https://hnonline.sk/svet/96297138-rusko-ziada-vysvetlenie-od-usa-aj-turecka-dodavka-zbrani-ukrajine-by-vraj-poskodila-vztahy) — Russia Demands Explanation From US and Turkey. Arms Supply to Ukraine Would Harm Relations, Says Report - [Crypto Briefing](https://cryptobriefing.com/russia-seeks-us-turkey-explanations-over-alleged-arms-plans-for-kyiv) — Russia seeks US, Turkey explanations over alleged arms plans for Kyiv - [5 канал](https://5.ua/polityka/mzs-rf-vymahaie-vid-ssha-i-turechchyny-poiasnen-shchodo-imovirnykh-postavok-zbroi-ukraini-381655.html) — Russian Foreign Ministry Demands US and Turkey to Explain Possible Arms Supplies to Ukraine ## Questions **What weapons are reportedly being transferred to Ukraine?** The US Congress published details of a proposed transfer of 12 missile launchers, 70 ATACMS missiles and around 50,000 rounds of ammunition from Turkish stockpiles to Ukraine. The weapons are US-made but stored in Turkey, requiring Washington’s approval for the transfer. **Why does Russia object to the transfer?** Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the transfer would cause “serious damage” to bilateral relations with Washington and Ankara. She also questioned the move, noting that both countries have presented themselves as mediators in the conflict. **Has the US or Turkey responded to Russia’s request for explanations?** None of the reports below mention a response from the US State Department or Turkish officials to Russia’s request for clarifications about the reported transfer. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/russia-demands-us-and-turkey-explain-possible-atacms-transfer-to-ukraine. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Russia demands US and Turkey explain possible ATACMS transfer to Ukraine", https://mediabias.news/politics/russia-demands-us-and-turkey-explain-possible-atacms-transfer-to-ukraine