easing restrictions on longer-range weapons as Russia deploys thousands of North Korean troops to bolster its forces, according to a US official and other sources with knowledge of the matter.
Kiev plans to launch the first long-range strikes within the next few days, the sources said, without disclosing details due to operational security concerns. The decision that allows Kiev to use the Tactical Missile System of the US Army or ATACM for strikes deeper into Russia comes as President Vladimir Putin deployed North Korean troops along Ukraine’s northern border with the goal of retaking land seized by Ukrainian forces.
Russia’s deployment of North Korean ground troops to supplement its own forces has alarmed Washington and Kiev. And the Biden decision was announced after the victory of Donald Trump in the presidential electionwho has vowed for his part to quickly end the war, creating uncertainty over whether his administration will continue vital United States military support to Ukraine.
The initial reaction from Ukraine to the long-awaited US decision to use long-range missiles to strike deeper into Russia was particularly subdued. His reaction Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday (17/11) she was particularly restrained. “Kicks are not made with words,” he said during his nightly taped address. “Such things are not announced. The rockets will speak for themselves.”
Zelensky and many of his Western supporters have been pushing Biden for months to allow Ukraine to strike military targets deeper inside Russia with missiles supplied by the West, saying the US ban had made it difficult for Ukraine to try toto stop Russian attacks on its cities and energy grid.
The Russians are intensifying their attacks
Zelensky’s statement came immediately after a condolence message was published on Telegram after
Russia also launched a massive drone and missile strike, described by officials as the biggest in recent monthstargeting energy infrastructure and killing civilians. The attack comes as fears mount of Moscow’s intentions to destroy it electricity production capacity of Ukraine before winter.
“And this is the answer to everyone who tried to achieve something with Putin through talks, phone calls, hugs and appeasement,” Zelensky said. The comment appeared to be indirectly directed at German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who spoke Friday with Putin in the first such conversation with a sitting head of a major Western power in nearly two years.
NATO allies divided
Some have argued that the missile embargo and other US restrictions could cost Ukraine the war. The debate has become a source of friction among Ukraine’s NATO allies. Biden remained opposed, determined to hold the line against any escalation he felt could bring the US and other NATO members into direct conflict with nuclear-armed Russia.
Putin has warned that Moscow could provide long-range weapons to others to strike Western targets if NATO allies allow Ukraine to use their weapons to attack Russian soil.
News of Biden’s decision followed meetings over the past two days with the leaders of South Korea, Japan and China. The addition of North Korean troops was central in the talks, which took place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru.
Biden did not mention the decision during a speech at a stop in the Amazon rainforest en route to the Group of 20 summit in Brazil. Asked about the decision, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters that the UN’s position was “to avoid permanent worsening of the war in Ukraine”.
“We want peace, we want a just peace,” Guterres said on Sunday ahead of the summit in Rio de Janeiro. He did not provide further details.
The soldiers from “North Korea” who changed the facts
The longer-range missiles are likely to be used in response to North Korea’s decision to back Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, according to one of the people familiar with the development.
The total supply of ATACMS missiles is small, so US officials have in the past questioned whether they could give Ukraine enough power to make a difference. Some Ukrainian supporters say even a few strikes deeper inside Russia would force its military to change deployment and to spend more of its resources.
North Korea has provided thousands of troops to Russia to help Moscow try to retake land in the Kursk border region seized by Ukraine this year. The introduction of North Korean troops into the conflict comes as Moscow has seen a favorable shift in momentum. Trump has signaled he could push Ukraine to agree to hand over some land seized by Russia to end the conflict.
Up to 12,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to Russiaaccording to US, South Korean and Ukrainian estimates. US and South Korean intelligence officials say North Korea has also provided Russia with significant amounts of ammunition to replenish its dwindling weapons stockpile.
Trump promised to end the war
Trump, who takes office in Januarysaid for months as a candidate that he wanted to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, but mostly deflected questions about whether he wanted U.S. ally Ukraine to win.
He also repeatedly blamed the Biden administration for providing Kiev with tens of billions of dollars in aid. His victory has Ukraine’s international supporters worried that any hasty settlement would primarily benefit Putin.
America is Ukraine’s most valuable ally in the war, providing more than $56.2 billion in aid since Russian forces invaded in February 2022.
Concerned about Russia’s response, however, the Biden administration has repeatedly delayed providing some specific advanced weapons sought by Ukraine, agreeing only under pressure from Kievof his supporters and in consultation with allies. This includes initially refusing Zelensky’s calls for advanced tanks, Patriot air defense systems and F-16 fighter jets, among other systems.
World War III is coming
and will receive a quick response, said yesterday Vladimir Dzabarovthe vice-chairman of the Federation Council’s Foreign Affairs Committee, according to Russian news agency TASS.
Publications and statements of American officials, reported that Washington gave the green light to Kyiv for the first time to bombard Russian territory with long-range missiles supplied to the Ukrainian military by the US.
