Biden authorized Ukraine to strike Russia with U.S.-supplied long-range missiles

President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-provided long-range weapons inside Russia for limited strikes, according to two U.S. officials. 

The easing of the long-held restrictions comes as North Korea has deployed thousands of troops to the Kursk region of Russia to support Russian troops fighting Ukrainian forces. 

The new authority applies to Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, which Ukrainian officials have sought from the Biden administration. U.S. officials had resisted, citing concerns over limited stockpile, the repositioning of Russian assets outside of ATACM range and because Ukraine has been using other assets, primarily drones, with success, making ATACMs less critical to the fight.

But the change comes after Biden officials have condemned the North Korean deployment as a possible expansion of the war. The ATACMs could be used where the Russian and North Korean troops are concentrated.

The Pentagon and White House both declined to comment. 

This marks a U.S. policy shift coming at the tail end of Biden’s time in office. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to limit U.S. support for Ukraine and end its war with Russia.

The U.S. has provided $175 billion in aid to Ukraine — more than any other country — making American support crucial to Ukraine’s defense against Russia. A withdrawal of support could deal a major blow to Ukraine’s ability to resist Russia’s attacks.

In May, Biden secretly gave Ukraine permission to use American weapons to strike Russia just over the border. At the time, Ukraine was prohibited from using longer-range weapons to strike deeper into the country, sources told NBC News.

On Sunday, Russia unleashed a barrage of missiles in Ukraine that killed at least seven people and caused severe damage to the power infrastructure.