Joe Biden lifts ban on Ukraine using US-supplied long-range missiles against Russia
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President Joe Biden has given the green light for Ukraine to use American-supplied long-range missiles for strikes within Russian territory, as revealed by senior US officials.
This move signifies a major step up in the States' backing for Kyiv, enabling Volodymyr Zelensky to utilise Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) with a reach of nearly 190 miles.
It's believed these weapons will be aimed at Russian and North Korean forces in western Russia's Kursk region. Biden's approval comes just two months before Donald Trump, who has pledged to cut back US support for Ukraine, is due to make his White House comeback.
The president's decision to permit the use of these advanced missiles follows a Russian escalation. Moscow recently recruited Kim Jong Un's troops to bolster its offensive.
US officials suggest one aim of their missile deployment is to discourage further North Korean participation by exposing the vulnerability of their forces in Russian territory. Earlier this year, Biden relaxed restrictions on American-made weapons in response to Vladimir Putin's cross-border attack near the northern city of Kharkiv.
At that point, the US leader allowed Ukrainian forces to use the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System with a range of 50 miles to hit Russian positions near the border but refrained from authorising the use of ATACMS, reports the Mirror.
However, in response to continued aggression and the arrival of North Korean troops, Biden lifted the restrictions last night (Sun). While US officials believe that Ukraine's use of ATACMS will bolster its defence, some are sceptical about whether they will change the overall war.
According to an insider, several military advisors remain unconvinced, fearing that Ukrainian strikes within Russian borders could provoke Putin into a more direct retaliation against America and its allies.
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