Joe Biden, two months before the end of his presidency, gave Ukraine the green light to use US-supplied long-range weapons to strike deep inside Russia, the New York Times reported, citing US officials. The daily writes that such a step constitutes a “major change” in the White House's policy when it comes to the war in Ukraine.
President Biden authorized it Ukraine first time to use provided by USA long-range missiles for attacks inside Russia – said American officials quoted by the New York Times.
The daily writes that Biden's decision is a “serious change” in US policy. It comes two months before the president-elect takes office Donald Trump.
“It is unclear whether Trump will reverse Biden's decision once he takes office. Trump has long criticized the scale of US financial and military assistance to Ukraine and has promised a quick end to the war, without explaining how this would happen,” Reuters points out. The agency writes that Ukraine is expected to carry out its first long-range attacks in the coming days using ATACMS missiles with a range of approximately 300 kilometers.
“NYT” adds that allowing Ukrainians to use long-range missiles is a response to Russia's “surprising decision” to introduce North Korean troops into the fight.
The White House has not yet officially commented on these reports.
In May, the president agreed to use U.S. weapons to strike in border regions on the Russian side of the border, but this did not include the use of ATACMS and other longer-range missiles. Kyiv's representatives have been seeking such a change for a long time, but the administration has so far refrained from making the decision. Boss Pentagon Lloyd Austin he argued that lifting the restrictions would not change much, because Ukraine has its own weapons with a similar and longer range, and the Russians have moved some of their resources – e.g. bombers used to shoot at Ukraine – deep into the country, beyond the range of ATACMS. Biden was concerned that this might lead to an even greater escalation of the conflict. The Kremlin warned that it would consider such a move as a significant escalation.
Russia's biggest attack in months
On Sunday Russia carried out a series of attacks on Ukrainian territory. It was the largest air bombardment since August. As reported by the president Volodymyr Zelensky120 rockets and 90 drones were fired. The target was the already severely weakened energy system. Authorities said at least seven people died and there was damage to the network. “Drones and missiles targeting peaceful cities, sleeping civilians, critical infrastructure. This is the real answer from war criminal Putin to everyone who has recently called and visited him,” commented Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha.
ATACMS ballistic missileJohn Hamilton/White Sands Missile Range Public Affairs/DVIDS
New York Times, Reuters, PAP
Main photo source: John Hamilton/White Sands Missile Range Public Affairs/DVIDS