Ukraine Prepares for Surprise Missile Strikes on Russia

President Biden has given Ukraine the green light to use powerful American long-range weapons for strikes inside Russia, a U.S. official told NPR on Sunday. Image: AP.

(The Post News)- Ukraine showed a heightened sense of urgency on Monday after the Joe Biden administration approved the use of American-supplied missiles for long-range strikes inside Russia. Ukrainian officials hinted that the initial launches would happen suddenly and imminently.

With only two months left in his tenure, President Biden finally agreed to Ukraine’s request to target deeper within Russia in order to weaken Moscow’s military. However, Ukraine’s ability to conduct more aggressive attacks was threatened by the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald J. Trump in January. It remains uncertain how elements of the Biden administration’s strategy toward Ukraine will endure under Trump’s presidency, including the latest change.

American officials stated that the missiles were expected to be used, primarily targeting combined Russian and North Korean troops in the territory that Ukraine has taken in the Kursk region of southern Russia. Ukraine’s invasion of Kursk was aimed at gaining control of Russian territory to have a bargaining chip in peace negotiations.

American officials and analysts stated that they believe the policy change would not significantly change the direction of the war, while pro-Kremlin commentators described it as a political decision intended to limit Trump’s options in negotiations.

The approval follows several months of grim military defeats for Ukraine on the front lines. Lacking troops, Ukraine has turned to moving soldiers to strengthen areas of conflict, leaving the vacated areas exposed to potential threats. Russia has made significant progress in the southern Donetsk region, moving forward by a mile each day, marking its quickest advancement since the beginning of the war.

Russia has continuously attacked Ukrainian military and civilian targets with drone and missile strikes almost every night away from the front lines. According to local authorities, a residential neighborhood in Odesa was struck by a Russian ballistic missile during a daylight attack on Monday afternoon, resulting in at least 10 fatalities and 43 injuries as a building caught fire.

Last year, the Biden administration agreed to provide Ukraine with several hundred Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) to be used on Ukrainian soil, including in Crimea, which is occupied by Russia. The Ukrainian military has employed numerous of these missiles in a series of attacks on military sites in Crimea, and it is uncertain how many are still in their possession.

During the conflict, Russia has been capable of attacking all areas of Ukraine. According to the Ukrainian military, Russia has launched approximately 25,000 long-range weapons, such as missiles and exploding drones, during the battle. The Kremlin has strengthened its extensive weapons supply by acquiring drones and missiles from Iran and North Korea.