Biden Authorizes Ukraine to Strike Russia with Long-Range Missiles

Kremlin officials have criticized President Joe Biden's decision to allow Ukraine to use long-range U.S. missiles to strike targets within Russia, branding it a dangerous escalation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the missiles would "speak for themselves."

The Details: If acted upon, the authorization gives Ukraine the capacity to strike crucial military targets further inland in Russia than previously possible. Moscow perceives the decision as a substantial shift in the U.S.'s involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, effectively indicating "the direct involvement of NATO countries, the United States and European countries in the war in Ukraine," according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. Zelenskyy had been requesting permission to use long-range missiles for some time, but the Biden administration had concerns about escalating the war. 

For Context: The policy change follows North Korea sending support troops to back Russia in Ukraine. Advanced Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), made in the U.S. and capable of covering a range of almost 200 miles, are among the long-range missile weaponry Ukraine might use to strike within Russia. Biden's policy shift comes after almost 1,000 days of war and two months before he leaves office.

How the Media Covered It: Across the spectrum, some outlets highlighted that Biden's decision garnered approval from other allies and raised the likelihood that the UK and others may follow suit. Some outlets on the left and right focused on a Russian legislator's warning of a third world war. An editor wrote this summary with the help of AllSides AI.