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(TJV) President Joe Biden has approved Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles for strikes within Russian territory, senior officials confirmed to Fox News on Sunday. This decision, first reported by The New York Times, focuses primarily on operations targeting Russia’s Kursk region in the west.
According to one U.S. official, Biden’s move was prompted by Russia’s decision to deploy 10,000 North Korean soldiers to support its military efforts in Kursk. Another official noted it remains unclear whether Biden would authorize strikes outside the Kursk area.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously warned that such U.S. actions would be considered an act of war. So far, he has not responded publicly to this latest development.
The announcement follows recent decisions by the U.K. and France to permit Ukraine to use SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles for similar operations, as reported by France’s Le Figaro. It also comes in the wake of one of Russia’s largest air assaults in months, with over 200 missiles and drones targeting Ukraine’s power and energy infrastructure.
Putin has repeatedly claimed that Western approval for Ukrainian missile strikes effectively means NATO and the U.S. are directly involved in the conflict. In September, he argued that NATO personnel, not Ukrainians, manage such sophisticated weaponry, making any missile launches tantamount to NATO’s entry into the war.
“If this decision is made, it will mean direct NATO participation in the conflict,” Putin asserted.
Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to appoint a peace envoy to mediate between Ukraine and Russia. During his campaign, Trump claimed he could resolve the conflict before taking office.
Advisers have floated proposals for a demilitarized zone along the frontlines, allowing Russia to retain the territory it has seized—around 20% of Ukraine. Such a plan might also include a 20-year freeze on Ukraine’s NATO ambitions. Critics argue this approach concedes too much to Putin.
The fast-paced rollout of Trump’s transition team reflects his administration’s focus on shaping a diplomatic path forward amid escalating tensions in Eastern Europe
