US President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use US-supplied ATACMS long-range missiles to strike Russian territory, the New York Times reported.
Initially, the authorization is to apply to strikes against Russian and North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region, but could eventually extend to other areas, undisclosed official sources told the newspaper.
The decision comes at a time when Russia, backed by North Korean troops, is preparing a major assault on Ukrainian forces in the restive Russian region.
Although U.S. officials do not expect the move to "change the overall course of the war," Biden aims to help Ukraine target critical Russian and North Korean military sites and send a deterrent message to Pyongyang.
The change in policy follows Biden's previous hesitation to provide such weapons due to fears of escalating tensions with Russia.
Supporters of the decision have long argued that this authorization would significantly enhance Ukraine's defense capabilities.
Talks to loosen U.S. restrictions reportedly began after Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov visited Washington on August 30 and presented senior officials with a list of high-value targets in Russia that Ukraine wants to defeat. | BGNES
