US President Joe Biden has given Ukraine the green light to use American missiles inside Russia drawing scrutiny from world leaders and war protesters. This comes after North Korea sent its troops to Russia’s Kursk region to fight the Ukrainian forces.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the Biden administration saying it’s a global effort. He highlighted that every time Russia carries out such attacks, it underscores how critical it is that partners don’t leave systems like Patriot and others sitting idle in warehouses.
Zelensky added that the Ukrainian forces haven’t yet received the necessary systems from its allies. He believes once the systems are in place, their ability to repel attacks will be much stronger.
Sources say Ukraine is likely to use the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to defend its soldiers against Russian and North Korean forces, striking outside its borders. The ATACMS can go up to 300km. It comprises a series of short-range, road-mobile, solid-propellant fueled, surface-to-surface ballistic missiles developed in the United States.
The ATACMS can attack high-value targets of rear-echelon forces such as airfields, surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites, artillery/missile forces, supply areas, and command groups.
However, US officials have earlier said the ATACMS would make a limited difference to Ukraine’s war against Russia. Ukraine will likely use this system in its first long-range strikes this week.
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Will Donald Trump Overturn Joe Biden’s Ukraine Decision
US President-elect Donald Trump may review Joe Biden’s decision about the use of long-range missiles to strike inside Russia. A source in the Trump transition team on the condition of anonymity said everything will be under review.
President Biden has until the afternoon of January 20, 2025 to take and pass whatever decisions he wants. The official said that authorizing the use of the missiles was Biden’s decision and would not be for much longer.
Representative Mike Turner, chairman of the Intelligence Committee, applauded the Biden administration’s decision, calling it overdue. He said Ukraine can’t properly defend itself if one hand is tied behind its back.
However, Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, an American far-right politician, said this could lead to World War III. She said Biden is on his way out of office and is dangerously trying to start WWIII by authorizing Ukraine the use of US-made long-range missiles into Russia. Greene highlighted that the American people gave a mandate on November 5 against these exact American last decisions and do NOT want to fund or fight foreign wars.