This decision, published by the New York Times, comes two months before the transfer of power between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, suspected of wanting to reduce support for Ukraine.
The decision was expected. The French and British had authorized Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory with their SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles. Joe Biden, after several months of pressing requests, gave his agreement to Volodomyr Zelensky to use the American ATACMS missiles, with a range of 300 kilometers, against Russia, reveals the New-York Times . This decision is an important change in the conduct of Ukrainian operations, which would have more American missiles than Franco-British ones. It comes two months before the transfer of power between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, suspected of wanting to reduce support for Ukraine.
According to the American daily, the White House lifted its ban in response to the deployment of 10,000 North Korean soldiers by Russia. An escalation in the conflict, made necessary by the high losses of the two belligerents. Joe Biden had already authorized, at the end of last May, Ukraine to use its HIMARS multiple rocket launcher against Russian territory, but simply to defend Kharkiv, the country's second city, threatened by a significant intrusion by the Russian army.
Several observers saw in the American caution so far the fear of an escalation with Russia. But also strikes on oil zones which would have destabilized the world market. ATACAMS strikes could be used to repel an upcoming assault by at least 50,000 troops, including North Koreans, in Russia's Kursk region partly occupied by the Ukrainian army.
