U.S. President Joe Biden has authorized Ukrainian forces to conduct targeted strikes using U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) against Russian and North Korean military positions in Kursk Oblast.
Unnamed U.S. officials indicated that these initial strikes are expected to focus on military targets within Kursk, with potential for expanded use against other targets in Russia in the future.
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The limited authorization was granted in reaction to North Korea’s deployment of troops to assist Russian forces in Kursk Oblast. U.S. officials noted that the decision aims to deter further North Korean involvement without escalating the broader conflict.
The partial lifting of restrictions on ATACMS use is intended to achieve a “specific and limited” effect on the battlefield rather than alter the overall trajectory of the war.
On the same day, French outlet Le Figaro reported that France and the United Kingdom have also approved the use of their respective long-range SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles by Ukrainian forces against Russian targets. However, it remains unclear if this authorization is confined to operations within Kursk Oblast or applies more broadly.
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While the new permissions allow Ukraine to target military installations in Kursk, U.S. officials and analysts caution that this partial easing of restrictions will not significantly weaken Russia’s overall defensive capabilities. Numerous Russian military sites outside of Kursk remain out of reach of ATACMS, preserving Russia’s sanctuary across other border regions.
Analysts continue to argue that limiting Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied long-range weapons may hinder its ability to fully defend itself and that a broader authorization to strike legitimate military targets deep within Russia is necessary for more effective counteroffensive operations.
U.S. officials were divided, with some warning that the move could heighten tensions and risk escalation, while others expressed concern about depleting the U.S. stockpile of these weapons.
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