The Missiles ‘Will Speak for Themselves’: Biden Approves Ukrainian Use of ATACMS Inside Russian Territory

Latest Developments

• U.S. Lifts Limits for Ukrainian Long-Range Strikes: President Joe Biden has approved Ukraine’s deployment of long-range American missiles against Russian targets in the Kursk region. The MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, can be used to strike targets up to 300 km away.

• Zelensky Hints at New Capabilities: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the new ATACMS reports without directly confirming them, saying that “blows are not inflicted with words. Such things are not announced,” and adding that the missiles “will speak for themselves.” A U.S. official said that the approval will “send a message” to North Korea, which has so far deployed 11,000 troops to fight on behalf of Russia.

• ATACMS Approval Follows Massive Russian Bombardment on Ukrainian Power Grid: Russia attacked Ukrainian power facilities with around 120 missiles and 90 drones on November 17. While Ukraine’s air defense array and F-16 pilots reportedly downed 144 incoming projectiles, nine civilians were killed in the barrage.

FDD Expert Response

“The Biden administration has taken a step in the right direction. Ukraine is an independent nation fighting for its independence, sovereignty, and freedom. The United States has every right to provide Ukrainians with the munitions they need to defend themselves from the Russian imperialist invaders. Washington should not restrict the use of those weapons only to combatting those enemy troops already on Ukrainian soil. The Ukrainians should be able to strike military targets anywhere in Russia. This is more imperative now than ever given that Vladimir Putin has taken the provocative step of importing North Korean troops to help him slaughter Ukrainians. The North Koreans are also providing ammunition to Putin — with no restrictions to the Russian military on their use.” — Clifford D. May, Founder and President

“The Biden administration has rightly highlighted America’s national security interests in supporting Ukraine and helping it defeat Putin’s unprovoked invasion. But the White House has often hesitated to provide Kyiv with major weapon systems and the permission to use them appropriately. That has hurt Kyiv, cost Ukrainian lives, and helped Putin. Ukraine is on the frontier of freedom in Europe, confronting an unprovoked assault from the Kremlin supported by Iran, North Korea, and China. The stakes are incredibly serious, but too often, the White House’s policy has not reflected that fact.” — Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of FDD’s Center of Military and Political Power

“Though U.S. dithering has caused us to miss the moment when ATACMS strikes in Russia could achieve maximum effect, President Biden’s decision could help Ukrainian troops defend their salient in Russia’s Kursk region, which Kyiv hopes to use as leverage in peace talks. Biden should also permit Ukraine to use ATACMS elsewhere in Russia, and Washington should pursue options to increase Ukraine’s long-range precision-strike capacity, such as transferring JASSM missiles. A key goal should be to grant Kyiv greater leverage in negotiations toward a moratorium on strikes on critical energy infrastructure.” — John Hardie, Russia Program Deputy Director

“Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to use U.S.-made weapons to strike deep into Russia is a good step. Given that Russia allowed North Korea to enter the fight, the West should also allow Kyiv to use weapons to put Moscow on the defensive. Of course, Russia is already threatening with escalations and warning about adding “fuel to the fire,” but this is simply a psychological operation against Washington. So far, they haven’t followed through on these threats. The incoming administration should follow Biden’s steps and provide Ukraine with all the weapons Kyiv needs to undermine Moscow.” — Ivana Stradner, Research Fellow