CNN —President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use powerful long-range American weapons inside Russia, according to two US officials familiar with the decision, as North Korean troops deploy in support of Moscow’s effort. The decision to allow the use of the Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, inside Russia had been under consideration for months. But Biden secretly approved the transfer of the long-range ATACMS missiles in February for use inside Ukrainian territory, and the US delivered the missiles in April. Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky had been pressing Washington to allow use of the weapons inside Russia, too, arguing he needed the capability to gain momentum in his war effort. A Trump transition spokesperson declined Sunday to address reports that Biden had authorized Ukraine to use long-range American missiles inside Russia.

Source: CNN November 17, 2024 20:37 UTC