Range deadline: what could change U.S. authorization for strikes deep inside Russian Federation

The United States has authorized for the first time to strike Russian territory with long-range missiles, Western media claim. It is reported that the strikes will be aimed at Russian and North Korean military personnel who are allegedly involved in combat operations in Kursk Region. On the evening of November 17, news emerged that following the Americans, France and Great Britain gave similar authorizations. There was no official confirmation of this information until midnight, while Joe Biden was discussing the protection of the Amazon forests before the opening of the G20 summit. Nevertheless, Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier that the use of Western long-range weapons on Russian territory would mean the participation of NATO countries in a conflict with Moscow. Experts call the possible decisions of the US and European countries a deliberate escalation - this is how the outgoing White House administration is trying to maximize the situation before Trump's arrival.

The US authorized to strike deep into Russia with ATACMS missiles?

Almost two months before the end of Joe Biden's term in office, the United States for the first time gave permission to strike Russian territory with long-range ATACMS missiles. This decision was supposedly under consideration for several months. At least, this was reported by several Western publications at once. On November 17, the New York Times, citing unnamed U.S. officials, reported that the weapons would probably be used against Russian servicemen "to protect Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region," as well as DPRK formations. The State Department is confident that the North Korean military is involved in combat operations against Ukrainian forces in the region. Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has confirmed this information.

DPRK Army

Photo: TASS/KCNA

Some US officials fear that Ukraine's use of such missiles could prompt Russia to use force against the United States or its partners, the NYT noted. Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the use of Western long-range weapons on the territory of our country would mean the participation of NATO countries in a war with Russia, as Ukraine is unable to carry out such strikes on its own. According to the head of state, such operations require data from NATO satellites, which Kiev does not have.

"It is a question of deciding whether NATO countries are directly involved in a military conflict or not," the president said in September, noting that Moscow, in turn, will make appropriate decisions based on the threats that will be created.

Another risk factor in this situation is the fact that Ukraine's use of Western long-range weapons may fall under the amended version of Russia's nuclear doctrine. The amended version of the document stipulates that aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state, but with the participation or support of a nuclear state, is considered a joint attack on Russia.

The White House refused to comment on media reports, although, according to Reuters, Kiev plans to launch the first ATACMS strikes soon.

Multiple rocket launcher system with ATACMS missiles

Photo: TASS/ABACA

At the same time, military expert Viktor Litovkin reminded Izvestia that the Russian Armed Forces have already intercepted ATACMS missiles during attacks off the Crimean coast.

Unlike the British Storm Shadow and French SCALP, ATACMS is a land-based weapon, it can be used by HIMARS launchers, so it is necessary to identify the location of launch sites and strike them, the expert said.

One of the largest enemy attacks using ATACMS missiles on Russian territory was the shelling of Sevastopol on June 23, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

Why the US may go for escalation now

Undoubtedly, the move can be perceived as a "foul of last hope" from Democrats, who have only days left to help Kiev. President-elect Donald Trump has not officially outlined his future administration's position on Ukraine, but his sarcastic rhetoric toward Zelensky and statements - albeit unsubstantiated - about the possibility of resolving the conflict in 24 hours cast doubt on continued military aid.

- Joe Biden wants to put Trump in a desperate situation," says Vladimir Brovkin, an American historian and former Harvard University professor. - America could be drawn into war and Trump will have to clean up the mess that Biden has made. Approval of these strikes is an escalation between Russia and the US, and a deliberate one at that.

U.S. President Joe Biden

Photo: TASS/Zuma

The White House also plans to urgently send Ukraine the latest $6 billion package of funds to buy weapons, Politico writes. In addition, as Egor Toropov of the National Research University Higher School of Economics told Izvestia, the absence of the need to be re-elected and the imminent end of his term of office free Biden from the dictates of voters and actually unleash his hands in the realization of not so much pragmatic as ethically and historically oriented political actions.

U.S. Air Force personnel preparing to deliver crates of anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine

Photo: Global Look Press/Cover Images

Trump's associate, entrepreneur Ilon Musk, who is becoming increasingly involved in American politics, commented harshly on the Biden administration's decision. According to the businessman, "liberals love war" that benefits "big government."

That said, Trump may subject Biden's decision to review, a representative of the future president's transition team told TASS.

- Those who warned that in the period before Trump's return to the White House on January 20, provocations by those who would not want an end to the war in Ukraine were possible, turned out to be right. London, Paris, and part of the Washington establishment, including Republicans, were among the provocateurs at the forefront," Eduard Lozansky, an Americanist and president of the American University in Moscow, told Izvestia.

However, another key player in making such decisions - Germany - still has no intention of supplying Kiev with Taurus cruise missiles. At least, they would not change the situation in the conflict in Ukraine, the head of the German Defense Ministry, Boris Pistorius, has said.