The reported decision by the American president would signify a major change in policy

US President Joe Biden has reportedly approved Ukraine's first use of American-provided long-range missiles for strikes deep within Russia, the New York Times (NYT) has claimed, citing anonymous officials in Washington.

Authorization to use the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) was reportedly prompted by Russia's alleged move to utilize North Korean troops in the conflict, the outlet said.

"Russian and North Korean forces operating in Kursk Region" of western Russia are apparently the intended targets for the weapons, the officials told NYT. Russia has neither confirmed nor denied the presence of North Korean troops on its soil, saying that its cooperation with Pyongyang is proceeding according to a defense partnership treaty.

The decision to allow the use of ATACMS, if true, would mark a significant shift in US policy. Biden previously eased some restrictions on the use of American weapons on Russian soil, but stopped short of allowing Kiev to use long-range missiles in strikes on internationally-recognized Russian territory.

An ATACMS missile can carry a 214kg warhead at supersonic speed over a distance of around 300 kilometers (190 miles). They can be fired from the US-made M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), both of which have been in Ukraine's arsenal since 2022. The US quietly approved delivery of ATACMS missiles to Ukraine earlier this year.

However, the NYT's sources said that Washington does not expect the change to bring any breakthrough for the Ukrainian war effort. The intention is rather to send an intimidating message to Pyongyang.

The sources also claimed that while, as of now, the authorization for ATACMS covers only Kursk Region, Biden could go further and allow Ukrainians to use the weapons for strikes elsewhere.

Some officials also expressed fears that the decision may invite retaliation from Russian President Vladimir Putin against the United States and its allies.

The question of supplying Ukraine with ATACMS missiles has been contentious, with Pentagon officials citing limited US stockpiles and White House officials fearing escalation by Russia, while critics argue that the administration's cautious approach has hindered Ukraine's battlefield effectiveness. Supporters of Biden's strategy highlight its claimed success in avoiding major Russian retaliation, but strikes on Russian territory with US missiles could alter that balance, especially as Ukraine's military faces mounting pressure from simultaneous Russian offensives in multiple sectors, the NYT said.

Kiev launched its Kursk incursion in August, and is reportedly encountering serious difficulties supplying its forces with fuel and munitions. Some Ukrainian troops have reportedly been forced to abandon their vehicles and move on foot after running out of fuel.

The operation has cost Ukraine over 32,600 casualties, and resulted in the loss of hundreds of pieces of heavy weaponry, including 213 tanks, 136 infantry fighting vehicles, and over 1,100 armored cars, according to Russian military estimates released on Friday.

In August, Putin warned that allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles on Russian territory would signify that NATO countries, including the US and European nations, are directly waging war against Russia, adding that such actions would prompt "appropriate responses."

Ukraine has already carried out strikes deep into Russian territory using Western weaponry, the head of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate, Kirill Budanov acknowledged in early summer. In May, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that American weapons were being used for attacks beyond the active conflict zone. Putin has described these strikes on Russian soil with Western weapons as "tantamount to aggression."
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