Mon Nov 18 14:10:30 UTC 2024: ## Biden Authorizes Ukraine to Strike Inside Russia with US Missiles, Sparking Outrage in Moscow
**Kyiv, Ukraine** – In a move escalating the ongoing conflict, outgoing US President Joe Biden has reportedly authorized Ukraine to use American-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) inside Russian territory. This decision, made just weeks before Biden leaves office, allows Ukraine to strike targets up to 300 kilometers away for the first time with US-supplied weaponry.
The Kremlin immediately condemned the authorization, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov accusing Washington of “throwing oil on the fire” and directly involving itself in the conflict. Similar concerns were raised by President Vladimir Putin in September. President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to negotiate an end to the war, has yet to comment, though his son, Donald Trump Jr., criticized the decision, suggesting it risks igniting World War III.
The authorization follows months of pressure from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has repeatedly requested longer-range missiles to counter Russia’s advances. The decision also comes in the wake of a major Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine and amid reports of thousands of North Korean troops deployed in the Kursk region of Russia, an area partially occupied by Ukrainian forces following an incursion in August. Ukraine has been using shorter-range missiles provided by the US, but this marks a significant escalation.
While the US secretly supplied the ATACMS missiles to Ukraine in March, their use within Russia had previously been restricted. Now, Ukraine can target Russian and North Korean troop concentrations and military equipment within Russian territory, potentially impacting supply lines. Kyiv is most likely to focus attacks around the Kursk region, according to US officials.
The move has raised concerns about further escalation. Russian lawmaker Maria Butina warned of the risk of World War III, while Timothy Ash, an associate fellow at Chatham House, suggested the authorization aims to give Ukraine leverage in future negotiations. He also noted that renewed violence in Kursk is likely.
Zelenskyy confirmed the authorization, stating that “the missiles will speak for themselves,” while downplaying announcements. France, which has also supplied long-range missiles to Ukraine, indicated openness to similar use within Russia. The long-term implications of this decision remain uncertain, particularly given President-elect Trump’s stated intentions to negotiate a swift end to the conflict.
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