U.S. President Joe Biden has reportedly authorized Ukraine to use American-provided long-range missiles to strike targets deep within Russia’s internationally recognized territory. The decision, first reported by the New York Times on Sunday, has drawn sharp criticism from Russian officials, prominent figures in the United States, and international observers, signaling a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Responding to the development, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova highlighted that President Vladimir Putin had previously addressed the potential for such actions. Putin warned in September that Ukrainian forces lacked the capability to conduct long-range missile strikes without Western assistance, framing the issue as a decision about NATO’s direct involvement in the conflict. He cautioned that any such move would provoke “appropriate decisions in response to the threats posed to us.”
Putin reiterated that strikes on Russian territory with U.S.-supplied weaponry could blur the line between indirect support and direct NATO involvement, raising the stakes for international security.
Reports from Reuters, citing U.S. officials, suggest that Ukraine is preparing its first long-range strikes on Russian territory in the coming days. While Ukraine has possessed Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) since April, their use was previously restricted to disputed territories such as Crimea, Donetsk, and Lugansk, which Washington considers part of Ukraine. The new authorization allows attacks within Russia’s officially recognized borders, including the Kursk Region.
This decision follows Ukraine’s long-standing request to expand the operational scope of the American-provided missile systems.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and a key ally of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, has expressed skepticism about Biden’s decision. In response to a post on X (formerly Twitter) stating that “libs love war,” Musk simply replied, “True.” Musk has previously criticized prolonged U.S. involvement in the Ukraine conflict, advocating for a negotiated settlement and warning against the risks of escalation.
Other Republican figures also lambasted the decision. Utah Senator Mike Lee described it as emblematic of liberal overreach in military conflicts, stating that “war facilitates bigger government.” Meanwhile, Trump’s son, Donald Jr., accused Biden of bowing to the influence of the “Military Industrial Complex” to lock in profits at the expense of global stability.
Richard Grenell, a former acting director of national intelligence under Trump, also condemned Biden’s move, characterizing it as an attempt to escalate the conflict before leaving office in two months.
President-elect Trump, who defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in last week’s election, has vowed to bring a swift end to the conflict through peace talks. Reports suggest that Musk joined Trump in a phone call with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, advocating for a ceasefire and diplomatic resolution. Musk later posted on X, “The senseless killing will end soon. Time is up for the warmonger profiteers.”
Russia has signaled that it views these developments as a grave provocation. Putin has warned that attacks on Russian territory using U.S. weaponry could trigger severe repercussions, including retaliation against Western interests. The escalation raises fears of broader conflict and heightens the risks for NATO members supporting Ukraine.
