US allows Ukraine to deploy long-range missiles in Russian territory

U.S. President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range missiles against Russian targets inside Russian territory, marking a significant shift in U.S. military policy. This decision, reported by the New York Times, comes as Ukrainian forces face mounting pressure in the Kursk region, where Russian troops, now bolstered by North Korean reinforcements, are preparing for a major assault.

The decision to allow Ukraine to deploy Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which have a range of up to 190 miles, represents a major change from earlier policies that restricted the use of U.S. weaponry inside Russian borders. Officials noted that the missiles would likely first be used to target Russian and North Korean troop concentrations, military equipment, and vital supply lines, as Ukrainian forces defend territory they seized in August from Russia.

Biden’s decision follows a major escalation in the war, with Russia bringing in North Korean troops to assist in the fight. Ukrainian officials have long requested access to the ATACMS, which have a much greater range than the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) previously supplied to Ukraine. While HIMARS can strike targets up to 50 miles away, the ATACMS provide the Ukrainians with the ability to strike deeper into Russian territory.

The shift in policy was driven by concerns that the Russian-North Korean assault in Kursk could overwhelm Ukrainian defenses. U.S. officials said that while they did not believe the change in tactics would dramatically alter the course of the war, it would allow Ukraine to better defend itself by hitting key Russian positions far behind the front lines.

In an effort to contain the threat posed by North Korean involvement, Biden’s move also serves as a message to Pyongyang, signaling the potential costs of their participation in the conflict. As part of the broader military strategy, the U.S. decision aims to degrade Russia’s ability to press its offensive against Ukraine and to deter further North Korean intervention.

While some U.S. officials expressed concerns that allowing long-range strikes into Russia could provoke a dangerous escalation, others downplayed these fears. The decision, they argued, was necessary to maintain the balance of power and prevent Russia from overrunning Ukrainian positions.

The new strategy comes at a time when the incoming Trump administration, slated to take office in just two months, has signaled an intention to reduce U.S. military support for Ukraine. Trump has been critical of the extent of U.S. involvement in the conflict, and his Vice President-elect, J.D. Vance, has proposed a plan that would allow Russia to retain the territory it has seized in Ukraine, though specifics on the proposal remain unclear.

As Biden grapples with his evolving approach to the war, the decision to supply Ukraine with the ATACMS represents an effort to bolster Ukrainian defenses against a well-supplied Russian force, even as the U.S. prepares for potential shifts in leadership and policy in the near future.

The New York Times report notes that U.S. officials are concerned about the stretched state of Ukraine’s military, which is fighting on multiple fronts. The introduction of North Korean forces, combined with the Russian threat, has heightened these concerns, underscoring the need for more advanced weapons systems to counter the expanding threat.