US President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use long-range ATACMS missiles to strike Russian targets, marking a significant shift in US policy. This decision comes after months of pressure from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been urging the lifting of restrictions on these missiles.
The Biden administration has framed the decision as a limited measure to support Ukraine’s defense of territory it currently occupies in Russia’s Kursk region. This strategic move is seen as providing Ukraine with a powerful bargaining chip for potential future negotiations.
The decision appears to be a direct response to Russia’s recent move to allow North Korean soldiers to fight in Ukraine. Ukrainian security expert Serhiy Kuzan noted that while the missiles won’t dramatically change the war’s course, they will help balance the forces. Ukraine estimates there are 11,000 North Korean soldiers in Kursk, and a major assault by Russian and Korean troops is expected within days.
ATACMS missiles can reach up to 300km (186 miles) and are difficult to intercept due to their high speed. The authorization may also enable Britain and France to grant Ukraine permission to use their long-range Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia, though neither country has yet responded to Biden’s decision.
The context of this decision is a increasingly intense conflict. Russia has significantly increased its drone strikes, launching over 2,000 in October alone – a record number in the war. Recently, Russia conducted its largest coordinated assault in months, firing approximately 120 missiles and 90 drones, killing at least 10 people. Subsequent attacks in the Sumy region killed eight more people, including two children.
Ukraine has consistently argued that its allies have not provided sufficient support for effective defense. Biden, who is set to leave the White House in January, is attempting to expedite additional aid to Ukraine. There are significant concerns about future support, particularly if Donald Trump wins the next election. Trump has criticized military aid to Ukraine as a drain on US resources and has suggested he would end the war, though without providing specific details.
The United States remains the largest arms supplier to Ukraine. Between the war’s start and June 2024, the US has delivered or committed to send weapons and equipment worth $55.5 billion, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
Zelensky’s response to the missile authorization was cryptic, simply stating that “such things are not announced, missiles speak for themselves.” Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously warned that such a move would represent NATO’s direct participation in the war, though he had not commented on these latest developments as of the article’s publication.
The decision represents a potentially significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, potentially changing the dynamics of military engagement in the region.
