U.S. President Joe Biden has given the go-ahead for Ukraine to deploy U.S.-supplied long-range ATACMS missiles for strikes within Russian territory, according to a report by the New York Times on Nov. 17. This decision marks a major policy shift, as the U.S. had previously refrained from authorizing such actions.
Ukraine is expected to initially use the missiles against Russian and North Korean forces positioned in the Kursk Oblast, though the authorization could extend to other strategic locations, unnamed officials told the outlet.
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The move comes as Russia, with backing from North Korean troops, gears up for a major offensive against Ukrainian forces. While U.S. officials do not anticipate this change will alter the overall trajectory of the conflict, the Biden administration believes it will enable Ukraine to effectively target critical military assets in both Russia and North Korea, sending a clear deterrent message.
This policy shift follows months of debate, with Biden initially hesitant to provide long-range weapons out of fear of escalating the conflict with Russia. However, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov’s visit to Washington on Aug. 30 reportedly played a key role in the decision, as he presented a list of high-value targets in Russia that Ukraine aims to strike using the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS).
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Proponents of the move argue that the authorization will bolster Ukraine’s defense, especially as Russia steps up its military offensives, including increased drone and missile attacks in recent months.
