President Joe Biden has approved Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles, including ATACMS, to target Russian territory, marking a dramatic shift in American policy. This decision, seen as a turning point in the war, comes amid heightened tensions following Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Policy Shift Amid Political Transition
The move follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s long-standing request for permission to strike within Russia, a strategy he argues is necessary to counter Moscow’s overwhelming offensives. Until now, Western nations, including the U.S., had withheld approval due to fears of escalating the war into a broader conflict.
This policy change occurs as the U.S. transitions leadership. President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to end the Ukraine war, will assume office on January 20. Until then, Biden remains Commander-in-Chief, leaving uncertainty about whether the new administration will maintain this stance.
Political analysts suggest Biden’s decision could be an attempt to strengthen Ukraine’s position before stepping down. Observers also point to the growing collaboration between Russia and North Korea, which recently deployed troops to aid Moscow, as a possible factor in Biden’s shift.
Military and Strategic Details
Ukraine is expected to deploy ATACMS missiles, which can strike targets up to 300 km away, in retaliation against recent Russian attacks. While Zelensky called the approval a potential “game-changer,” details of the planned strikes remain undisclosed for security reasons.
Russia has yet to officially respond but previously warned that such actions could dangerously escalate the conflict. Vladimir Jabaraf, Deputy Head of Russia’s International Relations Committee, called the decision a step toward World War III. Andrey Klishas, a senior Federation Council member, warned it would lead to Ukraine’s destruction.
Impact of Russian Strikes on Ukraine
Russia recently launched a devastating assault on Ukraine’s energy grid, using 120 missiles and 90 drones to cripple infrastructure in Kyiv. The strikes, timed just before the onset of winter, have left Ukraine in a dire state, with significant power shortages threatening millions.
Global Concerns Over Escalation
The U.S. decision introduces a perilous dynamic to the conflict, as Ukraine’s use of American weapons within Russian borders risks provoking an even more aggressive response from Moscow. The looming presence of Russia’s vast nuclear arsenal adds further uncertainty to the situation.
The international community now watches anxiously as the war, already devastating for both nations, edges closer to uncharted and potentially catastrophic territory.
