“The US allowed Ukraine to use ATACMS for strikes deep into the Russian Federation — NYT November 17, 20:15 Share: ATACMS missile (Photo: army.mil) US President Joe Biden on Sunday, November 17, allowed Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles for strikes deep into the territory of the Russian Federation. This was reported by The New York Times with reference to US officials. As the NYT points out, the weapon is likely to be used first against the Russians and North Koreans”, — write on: ua.news
ATACMS missile (Photo: army.mil)
US President Joe Biden on Sunday, November 17, allowed Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles for strikes deep into the territory of the Russian Federation. This was reported by The New York Times with reference to US officials.
As the NYT points out, the weapons will likely be used first against Russian and North Korean forces to protect Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation.
US officials also claim that the ATACMS authorization was issued in response to Russia’s decision to involve North Korean forces in the war against Ukraine.
The policy change is also intended to send a signal to North Korea that its forces are vulnerable, the NYT added. US officials have also said that Ukraine is likely to first use missiles against Russian and North Korean forces in the Kursk region. However, Biden can allegedly allow their use in other places.
On October 23, the head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, stated that the USA does not allow Ukraine to hit Russia with long-range ATACMS missiles, because the Russian Federation has already moved possible targets beyond the range of the missiles.
On October 24, The Washington Post wrote that after Election Day on November 5, Biden will remain in office for another 76 days. Therefore, as far as Ukraine is concerned, from his side “it would be wise to use it as an opportunity to change the course of the war.” In particular, journalists noted that he could give permission to Ukraine to use long-range weapons, such as ATACMS, on targets on Russian territory.
Discussions regarding the use of long-range missiles for attacks on the Russian Federation — what is known
On September 11, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken visited Kyiv, who did not announce permission to strike ATACMS deep into Russia, but said that the issue was discussed and he would take what he heard to Washington.
On September 12, Politico reported that the White House is finalizing a plan to ease some restrictions on Ukraine’s use of US-provided weapons.
The Times also wrote that Biden may allow strikes on the territory of the Russian Federation with British long-range Storm Shadow missiles. The NYT reported on September 13 that the US president has made a decision on Storm Shadow, but is still hesitating on the issue of using American ATACMS.
The Bloomberg agency, citing unnamed European and US officials, reported that Russia may intensify hybrid attacks on NATO countries in response to the US and European authorization to strike Russia with long-range weapons.
On September 14, The Guardian, citing sources, wrote that the US and Britain have decided to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles for strikes against the Russian Federation, but are not yet ready to announce it.
On September 15, it was reported that five former defense ministers and ex-prime minister Boris Johnson urged British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to allow Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russia, even without US support in this matter.
On October 3, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that the issue of giving Ukraine permission to strike Russia with long-range Western missiles will be discussed by the Alliance members with US President Joe Biden at a Ramstein-style meeting on October 12.