Biden Admin Authorizes Ukrainian Use Of US-Supplied Long-Range Missiles Against Russia

For the first time, the Biden administration has authorized the Ukrainian military to deploy U.S.-supplied long-range missiles, including the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), against targets on Russian territory, The New York Times reports. The announcement, following the election of Donald Trump, marks a significant escalation in U.S. military support for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia:

The weapons are likely to be initially employed against Russian and North Korean troops in defense of Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region of western Russia, the officials said.

Mr. Biden’s decision is a major change in U.S. policy. The choice has divided his advisers, and his shift comes two months before President-elect Donald J. Trump takes office, having vowed to limit further support for Ukraine.

Allowing the Ukrainians to use the long-range missiles, known as the Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, came in response to Russia’s surprise decision to bring North Korean troops into the fight, officials said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine did not confirm the permission to strike but suggested on Sunday that more important than lifting the restrictions would be the number of missiles used to strike the Russians.

“Today, many in the media are talking about the fact that we have received permission to take appropriate actions,” Zelensky told his nation of 40 million in his nightly address. “But blows are not inflicted with words. Such things are not announced. The rockets will speak for themselves.”

Controversy Surrounding the Decision

Critics argue that this decision extends beyond mere authorization. ATACMS technology typically relies on U.S. satellite systems, sparking concerns about direct American involvement. While the missile’s guidance becomes largely autonomous post-launch, critics point out that initial targeting requires U.S. satellite integration. Here’s how it works:

-Satellite Involvement: While active “guidance” from U.S. satellites is not required during flight, the missile depends on satellite signals for its GPS-based corrections. Loss of satellite access, such as GPS jamming, could degrade accuracy.

-Satellite Navigation: ATACMS missiles are equipped with GPS guidance systems that rely on satellite signals to accurately hit their targets. These satellites are part of the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS) network.

-Pre-Launch Targeting: Before launch, target coordinates are programmed into the missile’s guidance system. This step typically involves intelligence gathered from various sources, including satellites, drones and reconnaissance.

-Autonomous Flight: Once launched, the missile autonomously follows the pre-programmed trajectory using its inertial navigation system (INS) and GPS for mid-course corrections. It does not require active guidance from U.S. satellites during flight; the GPS system provides location data for precision.

Allied Support Follows U.S. Decision

The U.S. decision appears to have encouraged similar moves by European allies. According to France’s Le Figaro, both France and the United Kingdom have given Ukraine the green light to deploy their respective long-range missile systems—the French SCALP and the British Storm Shadow—against Russian targets, greatly enhancing Ukraine’s arsenal of precision-strike weaponry.

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