**Biden Approves Ukraine's Use of Long-Range Missiles Against Russian Forces**

In a significant policy shift, President Joe Biden has granted permission for Ukraine to deploy U.S.-supplied long-range missiles to conduct strikes inside Russia. This marks the first instance of such authorization and comes as a response to escalating tensions owing to Russia's decision to incorporate North Korean troops into the conflict.

The specifically approved weaponry, the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), are expected to be used by Ukrainian forces to defend against Russian and North Korean troops in the Kursk region of western Russia. This move represents a stark change in U.S. foreign policy, which has historically restricted Ukraine's use of advanced American weapons on Russian territory.

This recent decision comes with notable timing, as it is only two months before President-elect Donald J. Trump, who has indicated intentions to reduce support for Ukraine, takes office. The thinking within Biden’s advisory team has been divided on this issue, highlighting the controversial nature of the decision.

The background to this approval traces back to a broader context of military engagements between Ukraine and Russia. Earlier, Biden had relaxed some restrictions on U.S.-supplied weapons following a Russian cross-border assault towards Kharkiv in May. At that time, the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) with a 50-mile range was authorized for Ukraine's use against nearby Russian positions. However, Biden refrained then from permitting the use of the longer-range ATACMS, which boast a range of approximately 190 miles, to defend Kharkiv directly.

Now, the enhancement in Ukraine's military capability with the use of ATACMS aims to fortify its defense against the newly combined Russian and North Korean force, amidst the persistent conflict in the region.