Agency Report
In a major policy shift, President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use powerful American long-range missiles for strikes within Russian territory, a U.S. official revealed on Sunday. The Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, will allow Ukrainian forces to target key Russian positions, including weapons depots, logistical hubs, and airfields, according to the official, who spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to comment publicly.
The authorization is seen as a significant change from the administration’s earlier stance, which had strictly limited the use of U.S. weapons to Ukrainian territory to avoid escalating the conflict. The U.S. official confirmed that Ukrainian strikes could now extend to the Kursk region, where 10,000 North Korean troops were recently deployed in support of Russia.
“Today, there’s a lot of talk in the media about us receiving permission for respective actions,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his nightly video address. “But strikes are not carried out with words. Such things are not announced. Missiles will speak for themselves.”
The move comes at a time of heightened hostilities. On Sunday, Russia launched a massive barrage of 210 missiles and drones at Ukraine, targeting critical infrastructure, including energy facilities. Zelenskyy described the assault as one of the largest missile attacks since the war began.
In addition to ATACMS, British officials are reportedly considering allowing Ukraine to deploy Storm Shadow long-range missiles inside Russia, pending U.S. approval due to the American components in the weapons. These missiles have a range of about 155 miles.
While the new policy marks a turning point, experts suggest it may not dramatically alter the war’s trajectory. A separate Capitol Hill source, speaking anonymously, noted the limited number of ATACMS available to Ukraine.
“This decision is unlikely to be a game-changer because of the limited stock and Ukraine’s existing use of drones to hit Russian targets,” the source said.
The decision follows months of lobbying by Zelenskyy, who has argued that enhanced long-range capabilities are crucial for Ukraine’s success on the battlefield.
“We need to be strong,” he said. “We need to invest time not in talking to someone in Moscow, but in really forcing Russia to end the war.”
The authorization also comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to re-enter the White House. Trump has been a vocal critic of U.S. support for Ukraine, frequently suggesting that the assistance has been excessive and asserting he could resolve the war swiftly, though he has provided few details on how he would do so.
Maksym Sviezhentsev, a Ukrainian soldier and historian stationed near the frontline, expressed mixed feelings about the new authorization.
“I don’t want to sound ungrateful. The help of the U.S. has still been invaluable. But it has not been enough to let us win the war,” Sviezhentsev said.
“I’m just thinking how many lives could be saved if those restrictions were lifted a year ago.”
The conflict saw a pivotal shift in August when Ukrainian forces made a surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk region—a move that rattled Moscow. In response, North Korea dispatched thousands of soldiers to bolster Russia’s defenses in the region, underscoring the complex international dynamics at play.
As the war rages on, Zelenskyy remains firm in his belief that Russian President Vladimir Putin will only respond to military strength. “Putin reacts not to diplomacy, but to power,” he said. “This decision by the U.S. sends a clear signal of support.”
