President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use long-range missiles supplied by the U.S. to target Russian territory, marking a significant shift in U.S. policy. This approval, confirmed by a U.S. official to CBS, allows Ukraine to deploy ATACMS missiles outside its borders, a request long advocated by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky, responding to the reports, stated, “Missiles speak for themselves,” refraining from directly commenting on the news. Russia, however, had previously warned that such actions would amount to direct NATO involvement in the war, though the Kremlin has not yet reacted to the latest development.
The U.S. decision specifies that the missiles can be used for defensive purposes in Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces launched an unexpected incursion in August. This move signals Washington’s support for Ukraine’s hold on this small piece of Russian territory, which could serve as leverage in future negotiations.
Serhiy Kuzan, head of Ukraine’s Security and Cooperation Centre, described the decision as crucial, noting it would not dramatically change the war’s course but would balance the power dynamics on the battlefield. ATACMS missiles can travel up to 300 km, and sources suggest Biden’s approval was partially in response to Russia’s reported collaboration with North Korean soldiers in Ukraine.
The decision also paves the way for Britain and France to authorize Ukraine to use long-range Storm Shadow missiles in Russian territory, though neither country has yet commented on the move.
Ukraine had already used U.S. long-range missiles in previous strikes against Russian targets, as the conflict intensifies in the eastern Donetsk region, particularly near the vital city of Pokrovsk. Moscow has escalated its drone campaign, with over 2,000 strikes in October alone.
In addition to military assistance, Biden’s administration has expedited weapons shipments to Ukraine, fearing that his successor, Donald Trump, might reduce or halt support. Trump has criticized U.S. military aid to Ukraine, calling it a drain on resources and hinting at a potential end to the conflict without clarifying his approach.
Since the war began, the U.S. has been Ukraine’s largest arms supplier, committing over $55 billion in military aid, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
BBC NEWS, ARY NEWS, CNN, EXPRESS NEWS
