Written by David Harrison.

U.S. President Joe Biden has discreetly authorized Ukraine to launch long-range strikes inside Russia. According to a U.S. official, Biden has granted Kyiv permission to use American weapons to target areas in Russia bordering Ukraine’s Kharkov region. The official stated, “The president recently directed his team to ensure that Ukraine can use U.S. weapons for counter-fire purposes in Kharkov to hit back at Russian forces hitting them or preparing to hit them.”

This development came shortly after former President Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts in his New York ‘hush money’ trial. Biden’s directive, communicated to Kyiv before its official announcement, enables Ukrainian forces to use long-range American weapons, excluding the ATACMS missiles that have been quietly shipped to Kyiv since early April.

Strategic Military Moves

Biden’s decision allows Ukraine to target a strip of Russian territory bordering the Kharkov region, an area where Russia recently seized dozens of towns and villages. Previously, Ukraine used these areas to launch artillery, drone, and missile strikes on Russian territory. However, Russia’s advance into the Kharkov region forced the Ukrainian military to abandon these staging grounds, preventing them from striking targets in Belgorod and other nearby Russian settlements.

A U.S. official speaking to Politico emphasized that Biden’s decision does not change the U.S. prohibition on strikes deep inside Russian territory. Despite pressure to allow Ukraine unrestricted use of American weaponry against Russia, Biden publicly maintains this restriction.

Internal and International Disagreements

Biden’s stance has created tensions within his administration and among international allies. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and senior Pentagon officials have pushed for Biden to approve long-range strikes on Russia, according to the New York Times and Politico. Additionally, several NATO countries, including Britain, France, and Germany, have already given Ukraine permission to use their weapons as needed.

In Kyiv, Biden’s refusal has reportedly angered President Volodymyr Zelensky and his senior officials. Some told the Washington Post they could have thwarted Russia’s Kharkov offensive if allowed to conduct cross-border strikes on Russian equipment and troops.

Moscow’s Response

Moscow has dismissed the debate over such strikes in Western capitals. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov commented, “American weapons are already being used against various targets outside the combat zone. We proceed from the fact that American and other Western weaponry strikes targets on the territory of Russia, primarily civilian infrastructure and residential areas.”

Our Take

Biden’s authorization for Ukraine to use American weapons to strike within Russian borders marks a significant escalation in the conflict. This move, while aimed at supporting Ukraine’s defense, risks further destabilizing the region and heightening tensions between major world powers. The potential for miscalculation and unintended consequences is substantial. It is crucial for the administration to carefully navigate these decisions to avoid broader conflict and maintain international stability.