With two months left in office, the president for the first time authorized the Ukrainian military to use the system known as ATACMS to help defend its forces in the Kursk region of Russia.
Summary
President Biden has authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory, a major policy shift.
The decision responds to Russia deploying over 10,000 North Korean troops to the Kursk region and aims to bolster Ukraine’s defense against a large-scale Russian offensive.
Ukraine could now target Russian and North Korean troop concentrations, military equipment, logistics nodes, ammunition depots, and supply lines deep inside Russia with ATACMS missiles.
While some warn of potential Russian retaliation, others see the move as a deterrent to North Korea’s involvement.
The shift comes two months before President-elect Trump, who opposes further Ukraine support, takes office.