Multiple media outlets have reported that President Biden has authorized Ukraine to use long-range missiles provided by the United States to target Russian assets within its borders. This move signals a significant shift in U.S. policy in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Media outlets such as Reuters, Associated Press, and CNN have all covered this development.
According to Reuters, sources familiar with the matter revealed that Ukraine is planning its first long-range attack on Russia in the coming days. However, for operational security reasons, the specifics have not been disclosed by the sources. The White House has declined to comment on the matter.
This decision comes as Biden is nearing the end of his term and coincides with North Korea sending a large number of troops to support Putin in replenishing Russian forces. The involvement of North Korean soldiers in the conflict has triggered concerns for the United States and Ukraine.
For months, Ukrainian President Zelensky has been requesting the U.S. to allow Ukrainian forces to use American weapons to target Russian military objectives far from its borders. Previously, Biden had been hesitant to approve this request out of concerns that it could lead to a direct escalation of conflict between the U.S. and other NATO members with Russia.
Sources informed Reuters that Ukraine’s initial deep strikes against Russia are likely to utilize ATACMS missiles, with a range of up to 190 miles (306 kilometers).
Some U.S. officials have expressed doubts about whether Biden’s authorization for Ukraine to conduct long-range strikes on Russian targets will alter the overall trajectory of the war. However, this decision could potentially assist Ukraine as Russian forces make progress on the battlefield and potentially place Ukraine in a stronger negotiating position during ceasefire talks.
It remains unclear whether Trump will reverse Biden’s decision once in office. Trump had vowed during his campaign to swiftly end the war but did not elaborate on how he would achieve that.
Some Republican members of Congress have urged Biden to relax restrictions on how Ukraine can use American-provided weapons. Russia has warned that relaxing these restrictions could be seen as a significant escalation of the conflict.
A source informed the Associated Press that Biden’s latest decision may be in response to North Korea’s deployment of troops to support Russia.
The deployed North Korean soldiers are attempting to help Russia retake the land in the Kursk border region that Ukraine seized earlier this year.