President Joe Biden has given Ukraine the go-ahead to use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles to strike inside Russian territory. Officials told the Washington Post that Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, are likely to be first used against Russian and North Korean forces to defend Ukrainian troops operating in Russia’s western Kursk region. Biden reportedly made the decision, which the New York Times reported divided his advisors, in response to Russia’s unexpected decision to bring North Korean troops to the front, hoping it will deter Pyongyang from sending any more forces. Russia is trying to retake sections of Kursk which were seized and secured by Ukrainian forces in August, with a rush of 50,000 forces, including some 10,000 from North Korea. ATACMS can be fitted with cluster munitions and conventional warheads, with a 190 mile range. The White House is trying to rush some $9 billion in aid to Ukraine before president-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. Trump—who called Russian President Vladimir Putin’s order to invade Ukraine “genius” in 2022—has vowed to limit additional support to Kyiv and claims he will end the conflict with Russia, though has offered no details.
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