President Joe Biden has authorised Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range missiles against Russia.
According to the New York Times, officials said the decision was driven by escalating tensions, particularly Russia’s recent deployment of North Korean troops to strengthen its forces in the Kursk region of western Russia.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky denied reports that Ukraine had received permission for strikes, stressing that military actions speak through their results, not public announcements.
“Today, many in the media are talking about the fact that we have received permission to take appropriate actions,” Mr Zelensky said in his nightly address. “But blows are not inflicted with words. Such things are not announced. The rockets will speak for themselves.”
The move allows Ukraine to deploy Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which have a range of nearly 190 miles, to target Russian and North Korean troops operating near its borders.
This comes just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, with a stated aim to reduce American support for Ukraine.
The decision has reportedly divided Mr Biden’s advisers, highlighting the complexities of balancing immediate military strategy with broader political considerations.
The policy shift follows months of escalating cross-border attacks.
In May, Russia launched an offensive towards Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city.
In response, Mr Biden permitted Ukraine to utilise U.S.-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), albeit with a restricted range of 50 miles, targeting Russian forces just across the border.
The latest decision to authorise the more powerful ATACMS comes amid mounting pressure to counter Russia’s intensified aggression.
Officials noted that this decision underscores the evolving nature of the conflict, with Ukraine requiring more advanced capabilities to defend against threats beyond its borders.
The deployment of North Korean troops to support Russian forces has added a new dimension to the war, prompting an urgent reassessment of U.S. military aid restrictions.
