US, France, and Great Britain Authorize Ukraine to Use Long-Range Missiles Against Russia

(Patria) - The administration of US President Joe Biden has lifted restrictions that previously prevented Ukraine from using American weapons for attacks deep into Russian territory, three informed sources said, marking a significant shift in US policy in the Ukrainian-Russian conflict.

As reported by Le Figaro, immediately after the US, Great Britain and France have also made decisions allowing Ukrainians to attack targets deep within Russia with SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles.

Ukraine plans to carry out its first long-range attacks in the coming days, sources said, without revealing details for security reasons. The White House declined to comment.

This move by the US, just over two months before the newly elected President Donald Trump takes office on January 20, comes after months of requests from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to allow the Ukrainian army to use American weapons for long-range strikes on Russian military targets outside its borders.

Biden took this step following news of the deployment of North Korean troops on Russia's side, which has alarmed both Kyiv and Washington.

The first deep strikes are likely to be carried out using ATACMS missiles, which have a range of up to 300 kilometers, according to sources.

Although some US officials have expressed doubts that allowing the use of long-range weapons will change the course of the war, the decision could help Ukraine, as Russian forces are making gains on the battlefield, and put Kyiv in a better negotiating position when and if ceasefire negotiations occur.

It is unclear whether Trump will reverse Biden's decision when he takes office.

The president-elect has long criticized the extent of US financial and military aid to Ukraine and has promised a swift end to the war, without explaining how.

However, some Republicans in Congress have also urged Biden to ease the rules on how Ukraine can use weapons provided by the US.

Russia has warned that a step towards easing restrictions on Ukraine's use of American weapons will be considered a major escalation.