Nations rally behind Ukraine with long-range missile support

The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has given the green light for Ukraine to use American weapons to strike targets deep into Russia, Reuters reported on Sunday, citing several sources familiar with the matter. Similar information was also shared by other media, citing sources within the U.S. administration.

Media reports indicate that France and the United Kingdom have also allowed Ukraine to use long-range SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles for attacks deep into Russia.

Biden's decision marks a change in the policy pursued since the beginning of the war. In May, the president agreed to the use of American weapons for strikes in the border regions on the Russian side, but this did not include the use of ATACMS and other longer-range missiles. Representatives from Kyiv had long been advocating for such a change, but the administration had previously refrained from making a decision.

Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin argued that lifting the restrictions would not change much because Ukraine possesses its own weapons with similar or longer range, and the Russians have relocated some of their resources—such as bombers used to shell Ukraine—deeper into the country, out of the range of ATACMS. Biden was concerned that it could lead to an even greater conflict escalation. The Kremlin warned that it would consider such a move a significant escalation.