Biden Allows Ukraine to Strike Deeper Into Russian Territory

Facts

• US Pres. Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to strike deeper into Russia with long-range weapons, American officials confirmed to a number of publications on Sunday.^[1][2]
• The debate about whether Ukraine should be allowed US-made Army Tactical Missile Systems, known as ATACMS, has been a consistent theme of the war but, for the first two years of the conflict, was routinely rejected by the Biden administration over fears of escalation with Russia and stockpile concerns.^[3]
• That was until October last year when the first policy reversal came. At the time, Ukraine was provided a more limited version of the weapon that — although fitted with cluster munitions — had a range of roughly 100 miles (160 km), and thus could only strike Russian-occupied regions of eastern Ukraine.^[4]
• In April, it was revealed that Ukraine was since provided with the longer-range version of ATACMS — capable of reaching targets roughly 186 miles (300 km) away — and a month later, the US allowed limited strikes on Russian territory for the first time, allowing strikes into Belgorod from where Russia had been launching an offensive into Kharkiv.^[5][6]
• The latest decision extends Ukraine's ability to use these weapons into Russia's Kursk region where Ukraine launched a surprise offensive in the summer. With recent reports that Russia has amassed 50K troops — including roughly 11K North Korean soldiers — in an attempt to take back Kursk, a US official told CNN that the recent decision was intended to help Ukraine hold onto the region.^[3][7]
• According to French outlet Le Figaro, since the US decision, France and the UK have followed suit and have given Ukraine permission to strike inside Russia with long-range SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles.^[8]

Sources: ^[1]Associated Press (a), ^[2]BBC News (a), ^[3]CNN (a), ^[4]Associated Press (b), ^[5]BBC News (b), ^[6]Guardian, ^[7]CNN (b) and ^[8]Ukrainska Pravda.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by CNN. This move is intended to help Ukraine hold onto the Kursk region, seen as an important bargaining chip in any upcoming negotiations. The decision was triggered by Putin's escalation of deploying thousands of North Korean troops into the conflict.
• Pro-Ukraine narrative, as provided by Ukrainska Pravda. This request has long been part of Ukraine's plan for victory. However, words on this decision have little impact — its weight and consequences will be felt directly on the battlefield.
• Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by BBC News, TASS and Sputnik International. This reckless move by the US, UK, and France marks their direct participation in the conflict and is bound to have catastrophic consequences — including the very likely possibility of World War Three.

Predictions