US approval for Ukraine to strike Russia with missiles not to drastically change course of war - ISW
Launch of an ATACMS ballistic missile from the M270 MLRS anti-aircraft missile system (Illustrative photo: www.army.mil)
The US has allowed the Ukrainian Armed Forces to strike targets in Russia and North Korea exclusively in the Kursk region using ATACMS ballistic missiles. This limitation is not expected to significantly alter the overall course of the war, reports the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
US officials stated that the partial lifting of restrictions aims to create a specific and limited effect on the battlefield and will not significantly alter the course of the war. However, the Institute does not rule out the possibility of expanding this authorization to other regions of the aggressor state over time.
Meanwhile, the ISW noted that the current authorization for attacks only in the Kursk region does not completely deny Russian forces refuge on their territory, as hundreds of military sites remain within the reach of HIMARS missile defense systems in other border regions of Russia.
The Institute emphasized that if Western countries continue to limit Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, Russia's military will benefit from any partial refuge.
“The U.S. should allow Ukraine to strike all legitimate military targets within Russia's operational and deep-rear within range of US-provided weapons – not just those in the Kursk region,” the ISW stated.
Attacks with Western missiles on Russian territory
Ukraine has repeatedly appealed to the US for permission to strike Russian military targets with American-made missiles. The aim was to reduce the enemy's combat potential, and the destruction of Russian aviation would decrease the number of attacks on Ukrainian border areas and the front-line zone with guided air bombs.
However, the White House had long withheld such permission, citing the risk of significant escalation on the front lines.
On the evening of Sunday, November 17, American media reported that US President Joe Biden had authorized Ukraine's Armed Forces to carry out strikes on Russian territory using ATACMS ballistic missiles.
The reason for this decision was information about North Korea's plans to deploy up to 100,000 soldiers to support Russia, particularly to help push Ukrainian forces out of captured areas in the Kursk region.
Subsequently, European media reported that the UK and France had also authorized Ukraine to strike Russian targets with their own Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles. However, it was not specified whether this permission was limited to the Kursk region.
