The Biden administration has granted authorization for Ukraine to employ US-supplied weaponry for deep strikes within Russian territory, marking a significant paradigm shift in Washington’s policy regarding the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
This development was disclosed by two US officials and an additional source familiar with the matter.
The sources indicated that Ukraine is strategizing long-range operations in the coming days, though specific operational details were withheld due to security considerations.
The White House has declined to comment on this matter.
This pivotal decision comes two months before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had been persistently requesting permission to utilize US-supplied weapons for strikes on military installations deep within Russian territory, beyond border-adjacent regions.
Washington’s authorization coincides with growing concerns from both Washington and Kyiv over Russia’s recent deployment of North Korean troops as auxiliary forces on the battlefield.
According to sources, the initial deep-strike operation will likely employ ATACMS rockets, capable of engaging targets up to 190 miles (306 kilometers) away.
While some US officials express skepticism about how this authorization might alter the war’s trajectory, the decision could potentially assist Ukraine in countering ongoing Russian territorial occupation and strengthen Kyiv’s position in any future ceasefire negotiations.
However, uncertainty remains about whether Trump will maintain Biden’s policy after taking office. Trump has consistently criticized the scale of financial and military assistance to Ukraine and has promised a swift end to the war, though without specifying his strategy.
Meanwhile, several Republican Congress members have urged Biden to ease restrictions on Ukraine’s use of US-supplied weapons.
Russia has issued stern warnings regarding the relaxation of constraints on Ukraine’s use of US weapons, characterizing such decisions as a major provocation.
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