President Joe Biden has approved a significant policy shift, allowing Ukraine to use U.S.-provided Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) for limited strikes inside Russia.
This comes amidst reports of North Korea deploying thousands of troops to Russia’s Kursk region to bolster Russian forces fighting against Ukraine.
Previously, the Biden administration hesitated to approve the use of these long-range weapons due to concerns about escalating the conflict and maintaining adequate U.S. stockpiles.
Ukraine has been pressing for ATACMS to target Russian assets repositioned outside the range of existing weaponry. However, the administration believed Ukraine’s effective use of drones and other systems had reduced the urgency of supplying these missiles.
The new decision signals a response to changing battlefield dynamics, particularly with North Korea's increased involvement, which has raised alarms about a possible broadening of the war.
This policy shift also occurs during a pivotal transition in U.S. leadership, as President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to scale back U.S. military aid to Ukraine and push for an end to the conflict.
Trump's position contrasts sharply with the Biden administration, which has allocated $175 billion in military and economic support to Ukraine since the war began, more than any other country. A withdrawal or reduction in U.S. assistance could critically impact Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russia.
The announcement comes as Russia continues its aggressive campaign, including a recent missile strike in Ukraine that killed at least seven people and inflicted severe damage on the nation’s power infrastructure.
With this new authorisation, Ukraine’s military could leverage ATACMS to strike deeper into Russian territory, potentially reshaping the strategic balance on the battlefield.
However, the Pentagon and White House have declined to comment on the details of this policy change.
Source:
NBC
