Biden endorses expanded Ukrainian strikes into Russian heartland
The administration of President Joe Biden has granted permission for Ukraine to use American weapons against targets deep within Russia. On Sunday evening, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed the issue. She assured that Ukraine can rely on the European Union.
- We have seen the horrible, horrible attacks this night of Russia against Ukraine, destroying civil energy infrastructure and costing an incredible amount of human lives - von der Leyen stated in an interview with Brazilian television on the eve of the G20 summit, which will take place in Rio de Janeiro.
- We will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes. We are supporting Ukraine in this winter specifically where infrastructure for energy is concerned - assured the President of the European Commission.
On Sunday morning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that in a massive attack on all regions of Ukraine, Russians used 120 missiles and 90 drones; the target was energy infrastructure.
Biden gives Ukraine the green light. Kyiv can strike deep into Russia
A few hours later, on Sunday evening, Reuters reported that Ukraine plans to conduct its first long-range attacks in the coming days using ATACMS missiles with a range of about 300 kilometres. The US policy change was influenced by Russia's deployment of North Korean ground forces at the front.
The Biden administration's decision marks a shift in the policy pursued since the beginning of the war. In May, the president agreed to the use of American weapons for strikes in border regions on the Russian side, but this did not include longer-range missiles like the ATACMS. The Kremlin warned that such a move would be seen as a significant escalation.
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin argued that lifting the restrictions would not change much, as Ukraine possesses its own weapons with similar and extended ranges, and the Russians have moved some of their resources - such as bombers used to shell Ukraine - further into the country, beyond the range of the ATACMS.
Source: PAP/WP News
