November 17th 2024.
President Joe Biden has given Ukraine the green light to use powerful American weapons inside Russia, according to a senior US official who is familiar with the decision. This move comes at a time when North Korean troops have been sent to support Russia's efforts in the ongoing conflict.
The decision was made as Russia deployed a large number of troops to Kursk, a region in southern Russia where Ukraine launched a surprise counteroffensive in the summer. This deployment was meant to prepare for the retaking of territory. Along with the Russian troops, thousands of North Korean soldiers were also sent to Kursk as part of the offensive, causing concern for Biden and his advisers that this could escalate the already volatile situation.
The authorization to use Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) inside Russia had been a topic of debate among American officials for months. Some were worried about the possibility of further escalating the war, while others were concerned about the depleting stockpiles of these powerful weapons. Initially, the US had refused to provide ATACMS to Ukraine due to readiness concerns and the time and resources needed to produce them. However, in February, Biden secretly approved the transfer of the missiles to Ukraine, and they were delivered in April.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had been pushing for the use of these weapons inside Russia, arguing that it would help in gaining momentum in the war. When he met with Biden at the White House in September, Zelensky presented a detailed list of targets in Russia that he wanted to hit with the US-provided long-range missiles. This list was an essential part of Zelensky's strategy to win the war. While Biden did not dismiss the request outright, he did not make a firm commitment and agreed to continue discussing the issue.
According to US officials, the Ukrainians have already successfully carried out several strikes deep inside Russia using their own long-range drones, which have caused significant damage to Russia's defense industry. These drones have a longer range than the ATACMS. However, the US has also stated that Russia has moved some of its most valuable targets outside the range of the ATACMS. The Ukrainians argue that there are still plenty of Russian assets within range, including military bases and production and logistics facilities.
The US and its allies have been working to ensure that Ukraine has the necessary resources until the end of 2025, as a way to "Trump-proof" US security aid. President-elect Donald Trump had claimed that the war between Ukraine and Russia would not have started if he had been in charge. Zelensky expressed hope that the war would come to an end faster under the new leadership in the White House, referring to the incoming Trump administration. Trump had previously stated that he could settle the war in one day, without explaining how he would do so.
Biden's authorization comes after the US State Department reported that 10,000 North Korean soldiers had been deployed to Russia and were now involved in combat operations in the Kursk region, where Ukraine's military incursion had stalled. According to a Ukrainian commander, these North Korean troops are a significant resource for Russia's war on Ukraine, as even those deployed defensively would free up Russian troops for other operations and would eventually be used in direct combat.
In conclusion, the decision to allow Ukraine to use powerful American weapons inside Russia is a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. It remains to be seen how this will impact the situation and whether it will lead to a resolution or further escalation.
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