U.S. Approves Ukraine’s Use of ATACMS as Tensions with Russia Intensify

In a significant policy shift, the Biden administration has approved Ukraine’s use of the long-range American-made MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), allowing strikes on Russian territory, as confirmed by U.S. officials to ABC News. This development comes amidst ongoing tensions and military engagements in the Bryansk and Kursk regions of Russia.

The New York Times reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed approval through a cryptic statement, saying, «Missiles will speak for themselves.» Subsequently, Ukrainian forces launched a coordinated strike, deploying eight ATACMS missiles targeting the 67th Main Missile and Artillery Directorate Arsenal in Karachev, Bryansk Oblast, approximately 60 miles from the Ukrainian border.

The arsenal is considered one of Russia’s largest ammunition storage sites. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that its air defense systems intercepted five of the rockets while a sixth was damaged, with fragments causing a fire at a military facility. However, U.S. officials dispute this, asserting that six missiles successfully hit an ammunition depot.

Analysts suggest that the strike supports Ukraine’s defensive efforts against a growing Russian offensive in the nearby Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces hold a strategic position. The change in U.S. policy, motivated by reports of North Korea sending thousands of troops to bolster Russian forces, highlights the evolving nature of the conflict.

The Kremlin‘s response was swift, with President Vladimir Putin updating Russia’s nuclear doctrine to permit nuclear strikes in response to foreign ballistic missile attacks. During the G20 summit, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized the West’s desire for escalation, citing the ATACMS strikes as evidence.

A State Department spokesperson, Matt Miller, commented on Russia’s altered nuclear stance, describing it as an intimidation tactic but noted there was no immediate threat of nuclear escalation. Miller underscored that the United States and NATO do not pose a threat to Russia’s sovereignty.

Despite the heightened rhetoric, the Biden administration has yet to publicly confirm the specifics of the ATACMS policy change, while continuing to offer firm responses to Russian and North Korean military cooperation. The situation remains dynamic, with significant implications for international security and diplomacy.