Biden Allows Ukraine to Strike Deep Into Russia With American ATACMS, Sources Say

The Biden administration has authorized the first use of US-supplied weapons by Ukraine for deep strikes into Russian territory.

This was reported by various news agencies, including Reuters, The New York Times, and The Washington Post citing sources familiar with the decision.

The weapons are expected to be used initially against Russian and North Korean forces to bolster the defense of Ukrainian troops in Russia's western Kursk region, according to officials.

Additionally, Reuters sources stated that Ukraine is preparing to carry out its first long-range strikes in the coming days, noting that the strikes are likely to be conducted using ATACMS, which have a range of up to 306 km (190 miles).

A US official noted that the decision is partly intended to dissuade Pyongyang from deploying additional troops. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un needs to recognize that the initial deployment was a "costly" misstep, the official said.

North Korea is reportedly considering deploying up to 100,000 troops to aid Russia in its war against Ukraine, according to assessments from some members of the G-20 countries cited by Bloomberg.

Previously, South Korean intelligence stated that North Korea had dispatched approximately 12,000 troops to support Russia’s operations, suggesting a significant contribution to Moscow’s military efforts.