In Response to North Korea’s Support for Putin, U.S. Greenlights Deep Missile Strikes by Ukraine

Washington, D.C. — In a significant reversal, Biden ministration has granted Ukraine permission to fire long-range American missiles into Russian territory. This decision allows Kyiv to use Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which boasts a 180-mile range. move follows months of debate and resistance from U.S., which h previously feared that such an escalation would offer limited battlefield benefits. 

Since May, when Biden ministration first permitted Ukraine to use American-provided weapons in strikes against Russia, Kyiv has repeatedly asked for greater freedom to target Russian territory with long-range missiles. However, U.S. h initially resisted granting this request, citing concerns over escalation of conflict and uncertain tactical vantages of such strikes. 

This latest shift is part of a broer pattern of changing U.S. policy throughout war, particularly regarding what s of weapons Ukraine is authorized to use and how freely y can employ m. White House's decisions on military aid, including provision of F-16 fighters, long-range missiles, and tanks, have seen similar reversals. 

North Korea’s Involvement Pushes Policy Change

decision to allow Ukraine to use ATACMS is largely seen as a tit-for-tat response to growing Russian support from North Korea. Over past weeks, North Korea has sent more than 10,000 troops to fight alongside Russian forces, particularly in Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces recently reclaimed significant territory. While North Korean troops have yet to see significant combat, U.S. officials expect ir involvement in fighting to escalate soon.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told reporters that, although se North Korean troops are inexperienced in combat and will face challenges in working alongside Russian forces, y are expected to help Russia maintain its positions without need for ditional conscription. Russia has been suffering heavy casualties, reportedly up to 1,250 per day, and inclusion of North Korean forces will help bolster its manpower. Despite this, Austin expressed doubt that North Korean forces would be highly effective due to cultural and logistical differences between m and Russian soldiers. 

Missile Shortages and Strategic Alternatives 

For months, U.S. h refrained from sending ATACMS to Ukraine, citing several factors. One of primary reasons was limited stockpile of missiles, which led U.S. to conserve m for or uses. Furrmore, Pentagon argued that Ukraine h been able to develop its own long-range weapons, such as drones, that could effectively target Russian military sites.

Ukraine has alrey successfully used its own drone capabilities to strike Russian oil refineries and ammunition depots, dealing significant damage to Russian infrastructure. Despite this, U.S. has maintained that Ukraine would be better off focusing on use of se indigenous systems, as opposed to relying on limited stocks of ATACMS. 

Impact of Policy Change 

recent policy change does not signal a belief that ATACMS will suddenly become a game-changer on battlefield. U.S. officials have noted that many of Russia’s military assets, including planes, have alrey been moved beyond range of ATACMS in anticipation of such a policy shift. This has reduced missile’s potential effectiveness, especially given that Russia continues to rely on glide bombs—imprecise but increasingly accurate weapons—that have been hitting Ukrainian cities for over a year.

While permission to use ATACMS could allow Ukraine to target specific military sites, such as ammunition depots, U.S. has me it clear that it cannot commit to sending large quantities of se missiles to Ukraine due to stockpile concerns. Moreover, U.S. has yet to clarify wher this shift in policy applies to long-range weapons provided by or NATO allies, such as Britain and France. Both countries have expressed support for Ukraine’s ability to fire missiles wherever it deems necessary, but y rely on U.S. technology and data to target military sites, giving Washington final say on how se weapons are used. 

Evolving Dynamics in Conflict

U.S. decision to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russian targets is a significant development in ongoing war. While shift may not have an immediate and transformative impact on battlefield, it reflects a growing recognition of evolving dynamics in conflict, particularly involvement of North Korean troops. As both sides brace for future confrontations, U.S. will continue to balance its limited military resources with growing needs of Ukraine, whose tactics and strategies continue to apt in response to Russia’s evolving tactics. 

In coming weeks, U.S. will likely face ditional pressures as conflict drags on, and furr policy justments may be necessary as both Ukraine and Russia seek to gain upper hand in this prolonged struggle.