In a significant policy shift, President Joe Biden has given the green light for Ukraine to launch strikes on Russian soil using U.S.-donated weapons, but with certain limitations. The decision comes as Kyiv seeks to defend against Moscow's ongoing offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region.

Last week, U.S. officials confirmed that President Biden had approved Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory using American weapons. Ukraine had been requesting permission for weeks to use U.S.-provided weapons against Russian forces inside their own country after Moscow opened a new front in Kharkiv. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a visit to Prague, Czech Republic, stated that the U.S. had adapted to the situation and provided Ukraine with the necessary systems and weapons they needed.

However, there are restrictions on long-range strikes, including the use of the U.S.'s ground-launched Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles. While some view this as a sensible precaution, others argue that it hampers Ukraine when they desperately need a boost. Retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, former commander of U.S. Army Europe, expressed support for Ukraine's ability to strike key Russian targets with ATACMS, criticizing the "excessive fear" in Washington over the escalation of the conflict.

The Biden administration's decision has faced criticism from several Republican representatives who penned an open letter, stating that Ukraine should be allowed to use U.S.-provided weapons against any legitimate military targets in Russia, not just along the border near Kharkiv. On the other hand, some argue that withholding approval for Ukraine to fire ATACMS into Russia prevents a potential nuclear crisis. Ukraine does not possess nuclear weapons, but the presence of U.S.-made ballistic weapons in the region introduces concerns about confusion between artillery and a nuclear strike.

Analysts have noted that ATACMS missiles are smaller than nuclear-armed ballistic missiles, and Russia is aware that Ukraine does not possess nuclear weapons. Matthew Savill, military sciences director at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, explained that Ukraine can currently use shorter-range rockets to strike Russian territory, but ATACMS use would allow them to reach air bases in various southern Russian regions that are currently beyond their reach.

Ukraine has received multiple waves of ATACMS missiles since fall 2023, which have proven to be an effective tool against Russian targets. The long-range capabilities of ATACMS, as well as other provided missiles, would greatly benefit Ukraine in targeting Russian logistics, headquarters, and key artillery.

The issue of striking within Russia has been a sensitive subject for Ukraine's Western allies, who aim to avoid escalating the conflict. However, the mood appears to be changing, with leading NATO nations such as France and Germany signaling their support for Ukraine to use provided weapons to target sites used to launch missiles at Ukraine, while emphasizing the need to avoid hitting civilian or other military sites in Russia.

Russia has strongly opposed this stance, with President Vladimir Putin warning against constant escalation and stating that Russia sees any long-range weapons used by Ukraine as being directly controlled by NATO servicemen, accusing them of participating in a war against Russia.

It remains to be seen if long-range strike capabilities, including ATACMS, will be up for discussion in the coming weeks as Ukraine prepares for possible further Russian attacks in the north. As the conflict continues, the use of American weapons by Ukraine marks a significant development in the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia.