Updated Nov 17, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Biden lets Ukraine use U.S.-supplied long-range missiles in Russia's Kursk region

President Biden and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attend the Ukraine Compact meeting during the 75th NATO Summit in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, on July 11, 2024. — President Biden (left) and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington, D.C, on July 11. Photo: Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images

President Biden approved Ukraine using long-range missiles to fire against Russian and North Korean forces in the Kursk region of Russia's territory, multiple outlets report.

Why it matters: It's the first time Biden has authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range missiles to strike inside Russia. A source with knowledge of the issue confirmed the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) was only authorized for use in the Kursk area, where North Korean troops have been deployed.

Driving the news: North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un sent thousands of troops to the Kursk region in western Russia to assist Putin's forces in his war on Ukraine.

Between the lines: The source said Biden's decision was communicated to Ukraine around three days ago.

He said the motivation behind the decision was to deter North Korea from sending more troops to Russia for the war against Ukraine.
U.S. officials hope that if North Korean troops in Kursk are hit, Pyongyang might review its decision to send troops to Russia and the Russian counterattack in Kursk will fail.

What they're saying: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Sunday address that "long-range capabilities" for Ukraine's army are a key component of Kyiv's "victory plan,'"which he presented to allies.

"Today, there's a lot of talk in the media about us receiving permission for respective actions," he said.
"But strikes are not carried out with words. Such things are not announced. Missiles will speak for themselves."
A spokesperson for the Pentagon declined to comment on the matter.

What we're watching: Russian leader Vladimir Putin said last month that if Western nations decided to authorize Ukraine to strike Russian territory with long-range weapons, it would represent "direct participation" of NATO countries in the war in Ukraine.

Zoom out: A Russia expert from the think-tank the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) told reporters the authorization should not be limited to the Kursk region and said Biden should drop the restriction.

"Enabling Ukraine to strike high-priority targets throughout Russia could put Kyiv in a better position for potential negotiations, including by incentivizing Moscow to agree to a moratorium on strikes on critical energy infrastructure," John Hardie, deputy director of FDD's Russia Program, told reporters.

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Editor's note: This a breaking news story. Please check back for updates. Colin Demarest contributed reporting.

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Biden lets Ukraine use U.S.-supplied long-range missiles in Russia's Kursk region

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