Biden Authorizes Ukraine to Use U.S.-Provided Long-Range Missiles Against Russia
In a significant escalation of military support, President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to utilize U.S.-supplied long-range missiles for strikes inside Russian territory. This decision has raised concerns among some of President-elect Donald Trump’s allies, who warn that it could lead to a broader conflict, potentially setting the stage for “World War III.”
Targeting Russian Troop Positions
Ukrainian forces are now permitted to target specific military positions in the Kursk region, where approximately 50,000 Russian troops—including a contingent of 10,000 North Koreans—are stationed. This permission comes after Ukrainian forces successfully seized control of parts of this territory earlier in the year, according to senior U.S. officials who spoke with Fox News.
The Escalation of Conflict
“This is another step up the escalation ladder, and no one knows where this is going,” warned Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., who is set to assume the national security adviser role under Trump. “No one anticipated that Joe Biden would escalate the war in Ukraine during the transition period. This is as if he is launching a whole new war,” stated Ric Grenell, former acting director of national intelligence, in a post on X, previously known as Twitter.
Political Ramifications
Criticism of Biden’s decision came rapidly, particularly from Trump’s inner circle. “Everything has changed now – all previous calculations are null and void. And all for politics,” Grenell added, echoing sentiments expressed by Donald Trump Jr. who claimed that the military-industrial complex is determined to provoke conflict before his father has the opportunity to negotiate peace.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., declared, “On his way out of office, Joe Biden is dangerously trying to start WWIII by authorizing Ukraine to use U.S. long-range missiles into Russia,” referring to the electoral mandate received by the American people against such foreign interventionist policies.
U.S. Policy Based on Battlefield Conditions
In a press briefing in Rio de Janeiro, Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer did not address the long-range missile authorization directly but indicated that the deployment of North Korean forces influenced the White House’s policy decision. “The United States has been clear throughout this conflict that we will make our policy decisions based on the circumstances we identify on the battlefield,” Finer noted, highlighting recent escalations from the Russian side.
Ukraine’s Long-standing Requests
Ukraine has repeatedly appealed to the Biden administration to allow strikes within Russian territory, an ask that finds support among certain factions in Congress. However, administration officials previously expressed concerns about becoming further entangled in the conflict. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., went so far as to label the authorization an “impeachable offense,” citing it as an unconstitutional act of war that jeopardizes American lives.
Potential Impact of ATACMS Missiles
Ukrainian forces have relied on drone strikes for deep impact missions but view the U.S.-made ATACMS missiles as significantly more effective. The ATACMS, a surface-to-surface missile system operable from a mobile launcher, can target locations from 100 to 190 miles away, offering a strategic advantage.
Kremlin’s Response
As of yet, Russian President Vladimir Putin has not publicly reacted to this new development, but his spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, condemned U.S. involvement, indicating that it adds fuel to an already volatile situation. “This is a qualitatively new round of tension and a qualitatively new situation in terms of U.S. involvement in this conflict,” Peskov stated.
U.S. Involvement and the Future
Reports suggest that Ukraine has not yet deployed ATACMS missiles against any targets in Russia. Rebekah Koffler, a former Defense Intelligence Agency officer, raised concerns that these strategic moves may be a way for Biden to disrupt Trump’s agenda and that the reality of a formal authorization for strikes might not yet be in place.
Koffler emphasized the risks involved, stating that if Biden’s reports are accurate, it indicates Putin’s longstanding belief that the U.S. aims to undermine Russia using Ukraine as leverage. “If this is true, it means when Trump comes, Putin does not trust the U.S… he’ll likely proceed with destroying Ukraine,” Koffler explained.
Political Support for Escalation
Some lawmakers, particularly among congressional hawks, have welcomed the reported lifting of restrictions but lamented the delay in decisive action. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mo., called the delayed response from the administration a failure. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, echoed similar sentiments, stating that Biden should have heeded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s appeals much earlier.
International Dynamics
Biden’s announcement follows similar actions by Great Britain and France, which have already authorized Ukraine to conduct missile strikes. This decision comes on the heels of one of Russia’s largest missile assaults in recent months, aimed at Ukraine’s infrastructure.
Historically, Putin has outlined that allowing Ukraine the latitude to use U.S. missiles would effectively signify that NATO is directly involved in the conflict. “Flight assignments for these missile systems can, in fact, only be entered by military personnel from NATO countries,” Putin remarked, indicating the serious implications of U.S. missile aid.
Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.
