President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range weapons inside Russia for limited attacks, two U.S. officials said.
Long-standing restrictions are being eased as North Korea sends thousands of troops to Russia’s Kursk region to support Russian forces fighting Ukrainian forces.
The new authority applies to the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which Ukrainian authorities have requested from the Biden administration.
U.S. officials say stockpiles are limited, Russian assets will be relocated out of range of ATACMS, and Ukraine has had success using other assets, primarily drones. ATACMS has been resisted due to concerns about its use, reducing ATACMS’s importance in combat.
But Biden officials have criticized the North Korean troop dispatch, saying it could escalate the war. ATACMS could potentially be used in and around Kursk.
Both the Pentagon and the White House declined to comment.
In response to questions from NBC News, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that the move marks “a qualitatively new jump in tensions and a qualitatively new situation regarding the involvement of the United States in this conflict.” said it would be.
Mr. Peskov cited comments made by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a speech in St. Petersburg earlier this year that suggested Russia might provide weapons to countries to attack Western targets in response. pointed out.
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, said in a statement that he was “encouraged” by the decision, but added, “The administration has intentionally delayed supplies and support for an extended period of time. I cannot condone that.” It was authorized by Congress for use against Putin’s illegal aggression. ”
Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), chairman of the Intelligence Committee, also praised the decision in a statement, but called it “premature.”
“Ukraine cannot adequately protect itself if one hand is tied behind its back,” he said.
Wicker and Turner’s offices said in a statement that they have been urging the Biden administration to lift restrictions on the full use of ATACMS.
Both Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and President-elect Donald Trump’s eldest son Donald Trump Jr. criticized the decision, saying it could lead to World War III. suggested.
“On his way out of office, Joe Biden is risking a dangerous start to World War III by allowing Ukraine to use U.S. long-range missiles against Russia,” Greene said on X. . They don’t want to fund foreign wars or fight foreign wars. ”
In May, Biden secretly gave Ukraine permission to use American weapons to attack Russia across the border. At the time, Ukraine was prohibited from using long-range weapons to strike deep inside the country, sources told NBC News.
The U.S. policy shift came late in Biden’s term in office. President Trump has vowed to limit U.S. aid to Ukraine and end the war with Russia.
The United States has provided $175 billion in aid to Ukraine, more than any other country, making American support essential to Ukraine’s defense against Russia. Withdrawing aid could deal a major blow to Ukraine’s ability to resist Russian aggression.
On Sunday, Russia fired a barrage of missiles into Ukraine, killing at least seven people and causing significant damage to power infrastructure.
Contributed by Julie Tsirkin and Elyse Perlmutter-Gumbiner.
