Biden authorizes Ukraine to use US long-range missiles to strike inside Russia

President Biden has authorized Ukraine to target Russian territory using U.S.-supplied long-range missiles, senior U.S. officials confirmed on Sunday. The weapons will primarily focus on Russia's Kursk region, a decision first reported by The New York Times.

Officials say Biden's move is in response to Russia enlisting 10,000 North Korean troops to bolster its forces in the region. However, it remains unclear if Ukraine will be allowed to expand the missile strikes beyond Kursk.

The announcement follows similar approvals by Great Britain and France for Ukraine to deploy SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles, as reported by Le Figaro. It also comes on the heels of a massive Russian assault on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, involving over 200 missiles and drones.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously warned that allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles on Russian soil would be considered an act of war by NATO and the U.S. In September, Putin claimed such decisions equate to NATO’s direct involvement in the conflict, stating, “If this decision is made, it will mean NATO countries and the United States are directly part of the war.”

Meanwhile, President-elect Trump is preparing to announce a peace envoy aimed at facilitating negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. On the campaign trail, Trump claimed he could resolve the conflict before taking office.

Advisers close to Trump are reportedly urging him to advocate for a settlement that includes freezing the frontlines, creating an 800-mile demilitarized zone, and allowing Russia to retain approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory it has seized. Additionally, there is talk of Ukraine delaying its NATO ambitions for 20 years—terms critics argue would overly appease Moscow.

As Trump accelerates his Cabinet appointments, his potential approach to the conflict signals a stark departure from the Biden administration's policies, raising questions about the future of U.S. support for Ukraine.