Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-25

[Maladict]

Biden Allows Ukraine to Strike Russia With Long-Range U.S. Missiles

President Biden has authorized the first use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles by Ukraine for strikes inside Russia, U.S. officials said.

The weapons are likely to be initially employed against Russian and North Korean troops in defense of Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region of western Russia, the officials said.

Mr. Biden's decision is a major change in U.S. policy. The choice has divided his advisers, and his shift comes two months before President-elect Donald J. Trump takes office, having vowed to limit further support for Ukraine.

Allowing the Ukrainians to use the long-range missiles, known as the Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, came in response to Russia's surprise decision to bring North Korean troops into the fight, officials said.

[Legbiter]

Feels like Scholz as a lame duck is maybe showing a bit of decisiveness, possibly even recklessness - just all in the wrong direction

This call is German domestic politics. "Well, at least I tried".

[Zoupa]

Thanks for announcing it publicly, making sure the moskals have time to move their bombers out of range. Great job Biden. Jesus fucking christ.

[Sheilbh]

I think that had already happened. There was a point in the last year when the US went from opposing allowing long-range strikes as it might be escalatory to "in any event the Russians have moved things so there's no targets in range" (because Russia had time to adjust in the meantime) - to letting them fire when there's no targets and very little time.

[Zoupa]

Looked into the details and it won't change a thing. Moskals will keep hitting random apartment blocks, hospitals etc.

1) Only in Kursk

2) Only confirmed against ground forces (it seems)

3) No confirmation this allows allies to do the same

4) No new ATACMS

[Crazy_Ivan80]

with allies like that...

[Grey Fox]

It's better than nothing but no one is going to change Mike Sullivan's mind about the need to keep a way for US-Russia relations to be back to a place where Russia's domestic market is open to US companies.

[Sheilbh]

Looked into the details and it won't change a thing. Moskals will keep hitting random apartment blocks, hospitals etc.

1) Only in Kursk

2) Only confirmed against ground forces (it seems)

3) No confirmation this allows allies to do the same

4) No new ATACMS

Although it looks like US shift has allowed London and Paris to say Storm Shadow/SCALP can be used - which seems to be a bit broader.

Unfortunately we're out of Storm Shadows to send so it's a bit of a one-off (as ever in recent British interactions with Kyiv - we talk a good fight, but the Treasury prevails and we're broke)