Biden Approves Long-Range Missile Use for Ukraine

President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to strike military targets inside Russia, marking a significant shift in U.S. policy. This decision follows months of hesitance and comes in response to North Korea's deployment of troops to aid Russia in the ongoing conflict. Analysts suggest that while the ATACMS can target approximately 245 Russian locations, their limited supply means they may not drastically alter the battlefield dynamics. Ukraine has previously relied on domestically produced drones for long-range strikes, which have effectively targeted Russian military and energy facilities. The Biden administration's decision has raised concerns about potential Russian retaliation against the U.S. and its allies, although some officials believe these fears are overstated. Concurrently, France and the U.K. have also granted Ukraine permission to conduct strikes using their long-range missiles, further solidifying military support for Kyiv.