Biden approves use of long-range missiles in Russian territory

The American administration has made a significant policy change regarding Ukraine. As per American officials, ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) missiles with a range of approximately 305 kilometres will be used primarily against Russian and North Korean units threatening Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region in western Russia.

The Biden administration has begun to ease restrictions on the use of American weapons on Russian territory after Russia launched a cross-border attack towards Kharkiv in May. Previously, Ukrainians received permission to use HIMARS systems with a range of about 80 kilometres against Russian forces near the border, but they were not allowed to utilize ATACMS missiles.

According to American sources, the Russian army is preparing to launch a large-scale offensive with forces of around 50,000 soldiers, which includes North Korean units. The aim is to reclaim the entire Russian territory that Ukrainians captured in August. Ukrainians are able to use ATACMS missiles to target concentrations of Russian and North Korean troops, key military equipment, logistical hubs, and ammunition depots.

American officials assert that "Allowing the Ukrainians to use the long-range missiles, known as the Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, came in response to Russia’s surprise decision to bring North Korean troops into the fight." Some advisors were worried that employing missiles on Russian territory might provoke President Vladimir Putin to retaliate against the United States and its allies.

President Volodymyr Zelensky had long sought the United States and its allies' approval to use long-range missiles to attack Russian territory. British and French armed forces provided Ukraine with a limited number of Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles with a range of approximately 250 kilometres, but their leaders hesitated to authorize using these missiles on Russian territory without Washington's consent.

American officials highlight that "The Ukrainians could use the ATACMS missiles to strike Russian and North Korean troop concentrations, key pieces of military equipment, logistics nodes, ammunition depots and supply lines deep inside Russia". According to them, the policy change may not drastically affect the course of the war, but it allows Ukraine to target previously inaccessible high-value targets, and it also sends a message to North Korea about the repercussions of its involvement in the conflict, as summarized by "The New York Times".