US President Joe Biden has given Ukraine the green light to use long-range American missiles against military targets inside Russia, a major policy shift long requested by Kyiv, according to a US official.
This decision, confirmed by the official to AFP on Sunday, follows a deadly Russian attack on Ukraine’s power grid, which killed 11 civilians and inflicted further damage on the nation’s already strained energy infrastructure.
The announcement came shortly after reports revealed that North Korea had deployed troops to assist Russia in its ongoing war efforts.
This intervention, which escalates concerns over Russia’s international alliances, appears to have prompted the US to reconsider its position on providing more advanced weapons to Ukraine.
Hours before Biden’s announcement, Ukrainian authorities revealed they would implement nationwide power restrictions starting Monday, as a result of the massive Russian missile and drone strike.
This attack, which targeted critical civilian infrastructure, left Ukrainians bracing for another harsh winter with significant damage to their energy grid, half of which had already been destroyed in earlier assaults.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack, emphasizing that Russia’s targeting of civilian infrastructure was a violation of international law.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen also expressed outrage, vowing continued support for Ukraine despite the escalating violence.
In the wake of Russia’s most recent barrage, which involved 120 missiles and nearly 100 drones, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Moscow’s actions and confirmed civilian casualties across several regions, including Mykolaiv, Lviv, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, and Odesa.
The deadly attack comes as the war nears its 1,000th day, with Moscow continuing its offensive in eastern Ukraine.
However, the decision to arm Ukraine with advanced missiles comes at a critical moment, as political uncertainty in the US raises concerns over the future of American support for Ukraine.
The potential return of former President Donald Trump has sparked fears that a shift in US foreign policy could affect aid to Kyiv.
While Biden’s approval of long-range missile usage offers new hope for Ukraine, the country’s leaders are wary of the impending winter and the ongoing threat from Russian forces.
Ukrainian officials have warned that another winter of conflict could be the most challenging yet, with civilian lives at risk from both the cold and Russia’s ongoing bombardment.
As tensions escalate, diplomatic efforts continue. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently reached out to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging an end to the war.
However, Ukraine quickly dismissed the call as an “attempt at appeasement,” highlighting the discrepancy between diplomatic gestures and Russia’s violent responses.
Amidst these developments, the West, including NATO-member countries like Poland, remains firm in its support for Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and French President Emmanuel Macron joined calls for stronger action, denouncing Russia’s aggression and reiterating their commitment to supporting Ukraine.
As the war rages on, Ukraine’s determination to survive and resist Russian occupation remains resolute, while the international community grapples with how to effectively counter Moscow’s escalating violence and territorial ambitions.