Ukrainian forces have carried out their first strike on Russian territory using ATACMS long-range missiles, marking a significant escalation in the conflict, RBC Ukraine reports. This development follows US President Joe Biden’s decision to lift restrictions on the use of American-supplied missiles, allowing Ukraine to target deeper within Russia. The missile strike is seen as a response to Russia’s deployment of thousands of North Korean troops to reinforce its forces in the ongoing war.
Biden’s approval of the long-range missile strikes comes amidst rising concerns over Russia’s increasing reliance on North Korean support for its invasion of Ukraine. The US president’s decision also follows Donald Trump’s victory in the recent presidential election, which has raised questions about the future of US military aid to Ukraine, as Trump has promised a quick end to the war and questioned continued support for Ukraine under his administration.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several Western allies had been urging Biden to lift the restrictions for months, arguing that the ban on striking Russian military targets was hindering Ukraine’s ability to defend its cities and infrastructure from ongoing Russian attacks. The US had previously been hesitant to provide these longer-range missiles, fearing they could provoke a broader conflict with nuclear-armed Russia.
The lifting of these constraints signals a shift in US policy and comes at a critical time as Ukraine continues its efforts to halt Russia’s invasion and prevent further damage to its territories.
