In a significant policy shift, U.S. President Joe Biden has authorised Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range missiles, known as ATACMS, to target Russian territory.
A US official confirmed the decision to CBS, marking a potential turning point in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has long advocated for the lifting of restrictions on these missiles, responded cautiously, stating, “Such things are not announced; missiles speak for themselves.”
ATACMS missiles have a range of up to 300km (186 miles), enabling Ukraine to strike deep within Russian territory.
The Biden administration has framed the decision as a defensive measure, focusing on Ukraine’s efforts to hold parts of Russia’s Kursk region, captured during a surprise incursion in August.
Serhiy Kuzan, chairman of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Centre, described the move as “very important,” adding, “It’s not something that will change the course of the war, but it will make our forces more equal.”
The decision is seen as a response to Russia’s alleged deployment of 11,000 North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region, a move intended to bolster Moscow’s position ahead of a reportedly imminent offensive aimed at retaking the territory.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet commented on the reports, but senior Kremlin officials have labeled the development a “serious escalation.”
Putin has previously warned that such actions could signal NATO’s direct involvement in the war.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s allies, including Britain and France, may now follow the US lead by allowing the use of their own long-range missiles, such as Storm Shadow, inside Russian territory. Both countries have yet to respond to Biden’s announcement.
The timing of Biden’s decision comes amid escalating violence. Over the weekend, Russia launched what Ukrainian officials described as its largest coordinated assault in months, with 120 missiles and 90 drones targeting Ukrainian cities.
At least 10 people were killed in Saturday’s strikes, with additional casualties reported in Sumy, where a residential building was hit.
Russia, too, reported increased attacks, with its defense systems intercepting 26 Ukrainian drones in the Bryansk region on Sunday night.
The U.S. remains Ukraine’s largest military supporter, having committed over $55 billion in weapons and equipment since the war began, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. Biden’s decision reflects his urgency to solidify support for Ukraine as his presidency draws to a close.
There are concerns, however, about the future of U.S. aid. Former President Donald Trump, a leading candidate for the 2024 election, has criticized military assistance to Ukraine, calling it a strain on US resources.
Trump has suggested he would end the war, though he has not detailed how.
Chioma Kalu
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