In a significant shift in policy, the Biden administration has decided to provide Ukraine with precision munitions to defend against Russian aggression, regardless of whether they are used against targets on Ukrainian soil or inside Russia. This decision comes after a series of devastating Russian strikes on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, located just 25 miles from the border.

The administration had previously drawn a red line, specifying that aid would be withheld if Ukrainian forces struck targets inside Russia. However, recent events have prompted a change of heart. The month-long indiscriminate airstrikes by Russia have caused significant displacement, with tens of thousands of civilians being forced to flee, and countless lives lost. One particularly tragic incident occurred on May 25, when a home-improvement store in Kharkiv was bombed, resulting in the death of 18 people, including two children.

On Friday, the White House made the decision to erase the red line, signaling a willingness to allow Ukraine to strike targets in Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude for this new development, stating that it will provide better protection for Ukraine and its people against Russian aggression.

In response to the erasure of the red line, the Ukrainian army reportedly aimed its wheeled HIMARS launchers at the Russian city of Belgorod, which lies just 20 miles north of the Russia-Ukraine border. The aim of this move is to neutralize the northern grouping of forces, which has been launching attacks on Ukrainian border towns since May 10.

Belgorod and its surrounding towns serve as a base of operations for the Russian army, and Ukrainian forces aim to erode this grouping without engaging in street-by-street fighting in Vovchansk. The importance of Belgorod in the ongoing conflict cannot be understated, with local healthcare facilities overwhelmed due to the high number of Russian casualties.

Reports indicate that there are signs of a regrouping of Russian troops in the towns of Graivoron, Borisovka, and Proletarsky, suggesting the formation of a fresh strike group in Belgorod Oblast. Striking Belgorod and its neighboring region allows Ukraine to weaken the northern grouping of forces, while avoiding a direct confrontation in Vovchansk.

Previously, Ukraine had relied on locally-made or European munitions to target Belgorod. However, with the green light given by the Biden administration, Ukrainian forces can now utilize American-made precision munitions such as HIMARS, ATACMS, and glide bombs, which offer greater effectiveness and sustainability in their counteroffensive.

The decision to expand arms support to Ukraine marks a shift in the Biden administration's approach and reinforces their commitment to aiding Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression. This new development provides Ukraine with vital support to protect its territories and citizens from further Russian incursions.