November 17th, 2024

Biden Allows Ukraine to Strike Russia with Long-Range U.S. Missiles

President Biden has authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles against Russian targets, responding to North Korean troop deployments, while aiming to bolster Ukraine's defense amid escalating threats.

Read original articleLink Icon
Biden Allows Ukraine to Strike Russia with Long-Range U.S. Missiles

President Biden has authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to strike targets inside Russia, marking a significant shift in U.S. policy. This decision comes in response to Russia's deployment of North Korean troops in the ongoing conflict, particularly in the Kursk region. The ATACMS, which have a range of approximately 190 miles, will likely be used against Russian and North Korean forces threatening Ukrainian positions. Biden's decision follows a series of incremental arms support measures, including the earlier provision of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) for use against Russian forces near the border. While some U.S. officials express concerns that this escalation could provoke a Russian retaliation against the U.S. and its allies, others believe the risks are manageable. The introduction of North Korean troops has heightened fears for Ukraine's defense capabilities, prompting this policy change. The U.S. aims to send a message to North Korea regarding the vulnerability of its forces and to bolster Ukraine's ability to defend itself against a significant Russian assault. Despite the potential for increased tensions, U.S. officials do not anticipate that this decision will fundamentally alter the war's trajectory.

- Biden authorizes Ukraine to use long-range ATACMS missiles against Russian targets.

- The decision responds to Russia's deployment of North Korean troops in the conflict.

- Concerns exist about potential Russian retaliation against U.S. interests.

- The U.S. aims to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities amid escalating threats.

- This policy change reflects a significant shift in U.S. military support for Ukraine.

Link Icon 13 comments
By @monetus - 5 months
The atacms strikes will help in kursk, but less so in the east imo. Maybe this will mess up those logistics as well, but it seems too little too late.

Just politically, It isn't parity to ten thousand soldiers and 60% of their shells being North Korean. North Korea is at war in Europe, and this is not a commensurate response.

Lifting the restrictions now after Russia's logistics have already retreated also took the bite out of their potential. It should have been a surprise, overnight, when the Russian airforce was still relatively concentrated and unconcerned.

Better than nothing; I hope it changes something, for a time at least.

By @bingohbangoh - 5 months
does nobody think this will risk nuclear war? Is this really a place we want to risk it? I'm amazed at the comments section here
By @gukov - 5 months
Very late but, nonetheless, thank you.
By @yieldcrv - 5 months
whats the over-under on that getting revoked in 2 months?

what can be done by that military in that amount of time?

By @petermcneeley - 5 months
Russia claimed that deep strikes into Russian territory would be crossing a "red line". We shall see; I am nervously excited.
By @Modified3019 - 5 months
Long overdue