Despite threats from the Russian government, President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use the long-range American weapons he’s provided the country in its strikes inside Russia.
Want to get caught up on what's happening in SoCal every weekday afternoon? Click to follow The L.A. Local wherever you get podcasts.
The green light from Biden to allow Ukraine to use the more powerful weapons comes after Moscow deployed nearly 50,000 troops to Kursk, the southern Russian region where Kyiv launched its surprise counteroffensive over the summer.
The weapons, an Army Tactical Missile System, are supersonic ballistic missiles and are expected to be used mainly in Kursk, according to US officials. The missiles can strike further into Russia than any other Ukrainian missile currently being used.
Still, it’s not clear how many of the ATACMS weapons Ukraine has available. However, the Institute for the Study of War estimates that around 250 Russian military objectives are within range of the Ukrainian ATACMS.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a post on Telegram on Sunday that the “missiles will speak for themselves” and that the “long-range compatibilities” will be key for his nation’s “Victory Plan.”
“Today, there is a lot of talk in the media about us receiving a permit for respective actions. Hits are not made with words. Such things don’t need announcements. Missiles will speak for themselves,” Zelensky said.
But while Ukraine has praised the authorization from the US, the Kremlin has said that any use of American weapons would count as “direct” US participation in the war.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Biden’s actions are throwing “oil on the fire” and escalating “the conflict in Ukraine.”
“Kyiv’s use of long-range missiles for attacks on our territory will mean the direct participation of the United States and its satellites in hostilities against Russia, as well as a radical change in the essence and nature of the conflict,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Monday, according to state media TASS. “Russia’s response will be adequate and tangible in this case.”
The remarks from the Russian spokespeople echoed what Russian President Vladimir Putin said in September at the St. Petersburg United Cultures Forum when he was asked about Ukraine possibly using US weapons.
“If this decision is made, it will mean nothing short of direct involvement — it will mean that NATO countries, the United States, and European countries are parties to the war in Ukraine,” Putin said, CNN reported at the time.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok