President Biden has authorised the first use of US-supplied long-range missiles by Ukraine for strikes inside Russia, the New York Times reports with reference to sources.
The weapons are likely to be initially employed against Russian and North Korean troops in defence of Ukrainian forces in the Kursk Region of western Russia.
"Mr Biden's decision is a major change in US policy. The choice has divided his advisers, and his shift comes two months before President-elect Donald J. Trump takes office, having vowed to limit further support for Ukraine," the newspaper writes.
According to officials, allowing the Ukrainians to use long-range missiles known as Army Tactical Air Defense Missile Systems (ATACMS) was a response to Russia's unexpected decision to send North Korean troops into combat. Biden also began to ease restrictions on the use of US-provided weapons after Russia launched an offensive towards Kharkiv in May.
Some US officials have said they fear that Ukraine's use of missiles across the border could prompt Russian President Putin to retaliate against the US and its coalition partners.
- According to Reuters, Ukraine plans to launch its first long-range attacks in the coming days. Sources told the publication without disclosing details due to operational security concerns.
- On 19 September, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for Ukraine to be allowed to strike deep into Russia with Western weapons.
- Later, the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, and the ministers concluded that each EU state would decide for itself whether to allow Ukraine to use its weapons deep into Russian territory.
- So far, Ukraine has been using domestically produced drones to hit military targets in Russia. For example, in early May, a Ukrainian drone struck an oil refinery in Bashkortostan, Russia. It was a Security Service drone that set a record by covering a distance of 1,500 kilometres.