KYIV: The US will allow Ukraine to use American-supplied longer-range weapons to conduct strikes inside Russian territory, a long-sought request by Kyiv. The decision on Ukraine’s use of the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) comes in the waning days of Joe Biden’s presidency, before President-elect Donald Trump, who has said he would bring about a swift end to the war that many fear could force unpalatable concessions from Kyiv, assumes office.
The longer-range missiles are likely to be used in response to North Korea’s decision to send troops to support Kremlin forces, according to one of the people familiar with the development. Pyongyang’s troops are apparently being deployed to help the Russian army drive Ukrainian forces out of Russia’s Kursk region, where they launched an incursion in Aug.
Military analysts said the impact on the battlefield, where Ukraine has been on the back foot for months, would depend on what limits remained. But while the shift may shore up the Kursk operation, it was unlikely to be a gamechanger overall.
There also is no way to know how long the new policy will last. It was criticised by Richard Grenell, one of the closest foreign policy advisers of Trump.
The effect depends on the rules set for the weapons’ use. If strikes are allowed across all of Russia, they could significantly complicate Moscow’s ability to respond to battlefield demands. If strikes are limited to the Kursk, Russia could relocate its command centres and air units to nearby regions. That would also mean many of the valuable targets Ukrainian officials have expressed desire to hit may still be beyond reach. Also, the supply of ATACMS is short. However, the decision may encourage the UK and France to allow Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles, aka SCALP missiles, with range of 250km.
