WASHINGTON, Nov 18 (Alliance News): In a major shift in US policy, President Joe Biden’s administration will allow Ukraine to use American-supplied weapons to strike deep into Russian territory.
This decision, confirmed by three sources familiar with the matter, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Ukraine plans to carry out its first long-range strikes soon, although details have been kept secret due to operational security concerns. The White House declined to comment on the move.
This policy change comes after months of requests from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for the US to grant Ukraine permission to use its weapons to target Russian military sites far from the frontlines.
The shift follows Russia’s deployment of North Korean ground troops to bolster its forces, a development that has raised alarms in both Washington and Kyiv.
The first long-range strikes are expected to be carried out using ATACMS missiles, which have a range of up to 190 miles (306 km).
While some US officials remain doubtful that these strikes will significantly alter the war’s outcome, the move could strengthen Ukraine’s position in future negotiations, especially as Russia continues to make gains.
It remains unclear whether President-elect Donald Trump will reverse Biden’s decision once he takes office in January.
Trump has criticized the scale of US aid to Ukraine and vowed to end the war quickly, though his strategy remains undefined.
Russia has warned that loosening restrictions on Ukraine’s use of US weapons would represent a major escalation in the conflict.
