Biden Administration Greenlights Ukrainian Strikes Inside Russia
The outgoing Biden administration will permit Ukraine to use US-supplied weapons to strike targets within Russian territory, Al Jazeera reports, citing multiple news outlets including Reuters, the Associated Press, and the New York Times.
Three sources, including two US officials, confirmed to Reuters on Sunday that Ukraine plans to launch long-range attacks in the coming days. While the White House has yet to officially comment, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky cryptically aid that the missiles “will speak for themselves,” acknowledging media reports about the authorization.
This decision comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to assume office on January 20th. Trump and members of his incoming administration have expressed skepticism about the level of US support for Ukraine, leaving the future of this policy uncertain under the new administration. Trump has pledged to end the war quickly but has offered no concrete details on his approach.
The reported authorization allows Ukraine to utilize US-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) rockets, with a range exceeding 190 miles (306km). This development follows months of Ukrainian requests for permission to target deep inside Russian territory. Reports in Le Figaro suggesting similar authorizations from the UK and France have previously drawn warnings from Moscow, which views such actions as a significant escalation.
The US decision marks a substantial shift in policy, offering a boost to Ukraine’s efforts to counter Russian attacks on cities and infrastructure. President Biden had previously resisted such a move, fearing it could draw the US and NATO into direct conflict with Russia. However, this apparent shift in policy comes amid recent gains for Russia, bolstered by the reported deployment of thousands of North Korean troops to support the Russian offensive in Kursk.
Russian lawmaker Vladimir Dzhabarov, speaking to Russian state news agency TASS, warned that allowing Ukraine to strike inside Russia with US-supplied missiles would risk triggering World War III, promising an immediate Russian response.
