President Joe Biden’s administration has taken a bold step by authorizing Ukraine to use long-range U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) against targets inside Russian territory. The unprecedented decision, revealed by U.S. officials on Sunday (Nov. 17), signals a dramatic policy reversal and comes amid a volatile geopolitical landscape just weeks before Biden is set to hand over power to President-elect Donald Trump.
The authorization marks a significant escalation in Washington’s support for Ukraine, which has been locked in a protracted war with Russia since Moscow’s 2022 invasion. Kyiv plans to carry out its first long-range attacks in the coming days, according to sources familiar with the operational decision, though specific details remain classified.
The decision reflects mounting concerns over Russia’s growing battlefield gains and the deployment of more than 10,000 North Korean troops to bolster Moscow’s military. U.S. officials cited North Korea’s involvement as a key factor prompting the policy change, alongside the desire to empower Ukraine to negotiate peace from a “position of strength.”
For months, Biden’s administration had resisted calls to allow Ukraine to strike Russian territory, fearing the potential escalation of the conflict with a nuclear-armed adversary. However, this cautious approach has come under increasing scrutiny as Russia advances and Ukraine faces personnel shortages.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the decision but refrained from openly confirming operational plans. “Strikes are not made with words. Such things are not announced,” Zelenskyy said in a Sunday address, emphasizing the tactical discretion surrounding the move.
Russian officials have condemned the U.S. decision, warning of dire consequences. Vladimir Dzhabarov, a senior figure in Russia’s parliament, called it a “major escalation” and warned of the potential for World War III. President Vladimir Putin has previously stated that enabling Ukraine to strike inside Russia would effectively mean NATO declaring war on Moscow.
Despite the rhetoric, analysts believe Russia’s warnings aim to dissuade further Western involvement rather than signal imminent retaliation. Still, the stakes remain high as Ukraine’s use of ATACMS could provoke a shift in the conflict’s dynamics.
The ATACMS, produced by U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin, boasts a range of up to 300 kilometers (approximately 186 miles). Its deployment enables Ukraine to target high-value sites far from the frontlines, including command centers, ammunition depots, and supply lines deep within Russian territory.
Though the number of ATACMS missiles in Ukraine’s arsenal remains unclear, their potential impact is substantial. By striking critical infrastructure, Ukraine aims to disrupt Russia’s war effort and regain momentum on the battlefield. However, military experts caution that the missiles alone are unlikely to decisively shift the war’s outcome.
“Removing targeting restrictions will allow the Ukrainians to stop fighting with one hand tied behind their back,” said Alex Plitsas, a senior non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council. He noted, however, that the authorization came “way too late” to fully capitalize on the weapons’ strategic potential.
The timing of Biden’s decision, as he approaches the end of his presidency, underscores a broader effort to solidify U.S. support for Ukraine before Trump assumes office on Jan. 20. The outgoing administration has emphasized the importance of equipping Ukraine for the challenges of 2024, whether through continued conflict or peace negotiations.
However, Trump’s position on Ukraine introduces uncertainty. The president-elect has been critical of the U.S.’s extensive financial and military aid to Kyiv, describing the conflict as a “stalemate” and vowing to end the war quickly without providing specifics. His close advisors, including National Security Advisor-designate Mike Waltz, have expressed skepticism about further military support.
“Pouring more billions into Ukraine is the definition of insanity at this point,” Waltz recently said, highlighting divisions within the Republican Party over continued aid. Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., has also mocked Zelenskyy’s leadership, suggesting Ukraine’s reliance on U.S. support is unsustainable.
Washington’s policy reversal is likely to influence NATO allies’ stances on long-range missile support for Ukraine. While France and Britain have supplied Kyiv with Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles, their use has been restricted to avoid provoking Moscow. Germany, too, has withheld its Taurus missiles over concerns about potential strikes inside Russia.
U.S. authorization of ATACMS may prompt a reevaluation of these policies. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have recently discussed strategies to strengthen Ukraine’s position heading into winter.
Macron, speaking in Argentina on Sunday, accused Putin of escalating the conflict and dismissed the possibility of peace talks. “It’s clear that President Putin intends to intensify the fighting,” Macron said.
Despite their reservations, Western allies recognize the urgency of bolstering Ukraine’s defenses as Russian forces advance at their fastest rate since the early stages of the war. Recent clashes in the Kursk region, where North Korean troops have reportedly joined Russian operations, underscore the intensifying challenges faced by Ukrainian forces.
The decision to remove targeting restrictions on U.S.-supplied weapons carries significant risks, including the possibility of retaliatory attacks that could draw NATO directly into the conflict. Biden’s administration has sought to balance these risks with the imperative to counter Russian aggression and maintain the credibility of Western support.
Critics argue that the decision comes too late to achieve a decisive advantage for Ukraine, while others warn of unintended consequences, including the potential for nuclear escalation. Nevertheless, proponents believe the move reflects a necessary shift in strategy to address evolving realities on the ground.
As Ukraine prepares to conduct its first long-range attacks, the coming weeks will reveal whether Biden’s gamble pays off. For Zelenskyy, the authorization represents a vital opportunity to reclaim lost ground and disrupt Russia’s advances. For Biden, it is a defining moment in his legacy as a wartime leader committed to upholding the principles of international law and sovereignty.
As the Biden era concludes and Trump’s presidency looms, the U.S. decision on ATACMS underscores the enduring complexity of the Ukraine-Russia conflict. With global stakes higher than ever, the war’s next chapter promises to test the resilience and resolve of all involved.
