The United States has authorised Ukraine to use American-made Atacms long-range missiles against Russian and North Korean forces in Russia’s Kursk region, marking a shift in US policy.
The decision, which permits strikes up to 300km into Russian territory, comes in response to North Korea’s deployment of an estimated 10,000 troops to support Russian forces, according to multiple US media reports.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an indirect reference to the policy change, stating that “missiles will speak for themselves” rather than confirming specific details.
The authorisation is specifically limited to the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces conducted an incursion last summer. US officials indicated that Biden might extend the authorisation to other areas during his remaining two months in office.
The policy shift coincides with Ukraine implementing nationwide energy rationing following what officials described as Moscow’s largest missile and drone assault since August. The weekend attack involved approximately 120 missiles and 90 drones, prompting responses from NATO allies including Poland.
The White House has not officially commented on the decision, which does not extend to British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles. Ukraine has expressed interest in using these weapons against Russian airbases launching attacks on Ukrainian territory.
North Korea’s troops are reportedly preparing to join Russian forces in a counteroffensive, with the combined force estimated at 50,000 personnel. Ukrainian intelligence suggests Pyongyang might be willing to deploy up to 100,000 troops as the alliance strengthens.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the weekend attacks demonstrated Putin’s unwillingness to negotiate, whilst Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk criticised attempts at telephone diplomacy with Moscow.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, en route to a G20 summit in Brazil, emphasised the need to increase support for Ukraine, citing North Korea’s involvement as evidence of Russia’s “desperation” and the conflict’s expansion into Indo-Pacific security concerns.
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