President Joe Biden has authorised Ukrainian forces to use American missiles to strike targets deep inside Russia, US officials claimed.
Officials in Washington gave Kyiv the green light to use the Army Tactical Missile Systems, (ATACMS), after North Korean troops joined Moscow’s soldiers in the conflict.
Fears are intensifying Vladimir Putin’s forces could launch a major assault, with an estimated 50,000 soldiers, on Ukrainian positions in Kursk.
The Kremlin is believed to want to retake all of the Russian territory seized by Kyiv in August.
And Ukrainian forces could now use the ATACMS to strike Russian and North Korean troops, key pieces of military equipment, ammunition depots, supply lines deep inside Russia and logistics hubs.
Washington had been concerned that allowing President Zelensky’s forces to use the weapons could lead to another escalation of the war.
US officials were deeply divided, with some believing that Western hesitancy had allowed Russia to gain an advantage on the battlefield.
But others seized on a US intelligence assessment that warned Putin could order his military – or spy agencies – to retaliate against the US and its European allies.
The sight of thousands of North Koreans arriving and donning Russian uniforms was said to have persuaded Mr Putin to switch positions.
