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)

[grumbler]

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

Yeah, fuck that guy.  Biden needs to learn to just shut up and let the war go the way it is going to go.  It doesn't need his meddling.

[Zoupa]

Whoosh.

[grumbler]

Irony is not just the opposite of wrinkly.

[The Minsky Moment]

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.

I can't explain US policy either but I know it's not based on that.  Russia's domestic market at this point is less enticing than Luxembourg

[The Minsky Moment]

Anyways, there's no point in worrying about minor details like the war because in a couple of months it will be all over with a GREAT GREAT deal for Ukraine.  True they will lose much of their sovereign territory and many of their people will be trapped in Russian murder-rape occupation zones, but in return they will get peace for at least 8 months, a 5% discount for room stays at the new Trump Hotel in Russian Odessa (limit one per customer, black out dates apply), and a Trump Steaks t-shirt.

[Grey Fox]

Free Enrollment at the newly iteration of Trump University.

[DGuller]

I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but with all the kindergartens bombed to bits, Trump University wouldn't be a bad alternative for Pre-K education.