US President Biden Allows Ukraine to Use Long-Range American ATACMS Missiles on Russian Territory

For the first time, US President Joe Biden has authorised Ukraine to use long-range US-supplied ATACMS missiles in Russia. The New York Times reports this with reference to US officials.

According to the interlocutors, these weapons are likely to be used initially against Russian and North Korean troops to protect Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region of western Russia.

The decision was made in response to escalating Russian attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure.

This significant policy change allows Ukraine to target key military positions in Russia's Kursk region in an effort to strengthen its defence capabilities.

The US officials added that Biden made the decision to allow the Ukrainians to use ATACMS long-range missiles deep into Russia after Russia engaged North Korean troops in the war against Ukraine.

While officials said they do not expect Biden's new decision to dramatically change the course of the war, one of the goals of the White House's policy shift, they said, is to send a message to the North Koreans that ‘their forces are in the kill zone and that they should not send more of their troops.’

The officials added that while the Ukrainians would likely first use the missiles against Russian and North Korean troops threatening Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region, Biden could allow the weapons to be used elsewhere.

The Ukrainian military will be able to use ATACMS missiles to strike at Russian and North Korean troop concentrations, key military equipment, logistics hubs, ammunition depots, and supply lines deep into Russia.

According to Reuters sources, Ukraine plans to launch long-range strikes with US weapons deep into Russia ‘in the coming days’.