This week, Joe Biden lifted one of the many restraints placed on Ukraine in its war with Russia. The outgoing US president has allowed Kyiv to use long-range US-made ATACMS missiles in the Russian region of Kursk, a part of which is currently held by Ukraine. Last night, Kyiv used these missiles to strike a large Russian weapons depot in the Bryansk region neighbouring Kursk, suggesting Ukraine will also be able to use ATACMS on other Russian border regions.
Biden’s move is mainly intended to ‘send a message’ to North Korea – which has sent 10,000 troops to aid Russia – and to thwart the Kremlin campaign to force Ukraine out of Kursk. Putin has amassed some 50,000 soldiers to take the 250 square miles of the region back before Trump starts his presidency and tries to make good on his pledge to end the war ‘on day one’. Losing Kursk would mean Zelensky losing his leverage in any negotiations.
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