In a sudden reversal of US policy to date, President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use American long-range missiles on targets inside Russian territory. The news was initially reported by The New York Times, who attributed the story to unnamed US officials.
According to one of the sources, the move is aimed at least in part at deterring North Korea from sending additional troops into Ukraine to aid in the Russian invasion. The easing of restrictions will allow the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) to be used in some limited situations into the Russian interior, presumably in response to the arrival of around 10,000 elite troops from North Korea in the Kursk region, which is where the Ukraine military will supposedly focus its efforts.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously said such an escalation would be considered an act of war. “If this decision is made, it will mean nothing less than the direct participation of NATO countries, the United States, and European countries, in the war in Ukraine,” Putin declared. He has not, however, reacted to Biden’s change of policy on Sunday, November 17. The day before, on Saturday, France and the UK authorized Ukraine to fire SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles into Russia.
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