U.S. Reportedly Lifts Restrictions on Ukrainian Strikes Inside Russian Territory

The Biden administration has reportedly lifted restrictions preventing Ukraine from using American-supplied weapons to strike deeper into Russian territory, U.S. media outlets reported on November 17. This development, if confirmed, would signal a significant policy shift amid Kyiv’s ongoing war with Russia.

Citing sources familiar with the decision, reports from outlets such as *The New York Times*, *The Washington Post*, AP, and Reuters suggested the change in policy could allow Ukraine to utilize long-range weapons like ATACMS rockets with ranges up to 300 kilometers. The White House and National Security Council (NSC) declined to comment, and President Joe Biden did not respond to questions about the matter during his trip to Brazil.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy alluded to the reports on Telegram but stopped short of confirmation. “Today, many people in the media are saying that we have received permission for appropriate actions. But [militaries] do not strike with words. Such things are not announced. Rockets will speak for themselves,” he said.

According to Reuters, Kyiv is preparing to conduct the first such long-range attacks in the coming days. The report did not disclose specific targets, but military analysts suggest likely priorities would include command-and-control sites, ammunition depots, and airfields in Russia’s Kursk region, used for strikes against Ukraine.

The decision, if accurate, comes as Biden seeks to solidify U.S. support for Ukraine ahead of the end of his presidency on January 20, when President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office. Trump has criticized Biden’s strong support for Ukraine and has pledged to seek a rapid end to the conflict, which analysts believe could involve terms unfavorable to Kyiv.

Richard Grenell, a key Trump adviser, criticized the alleged move in a post on X, accusing Biden of “escalating the wars before he leaves office.” However, Ben Hodges, a retired U.S. lieutenant general, told RFE/RL that such a policy would send a strong message to Moscow and could benefit the incoming administration.

Phillips O’Brien, a professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews, welcomed the potential decision as overdue but expressed concerns over its future under the Trump administration. Observers also noted the move could encourage other Western allies, such as Britain and France, to follow suit.

The decision could provoke strong reactions from Moscow. The Kremlin has warned that allowing Ukraine to target Russian territory with Western-supplied weapons would be considered a major escalation. Despite such concerns, the U.S. had previously granted limited permission for Ukrainian strikes just across the Russian border to deter imminent threats.

Meanwhile, reports of North Korea sending thousands of troops to Russia, with some allegedly engaging in fighting in the Kursk region, are believed to have influenced the Biden administration’s decision.

On the battlefield, Russia launched one of its largest airstrikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on November 17, prompting temporary power restrictions across all Ukrainian regions. Ukrainian authorities condemned the strikes as targeting both civilian and critical infrastructure.

NATO and the European Union also denounced the attacks. A NATO spokeswoman reaffirmed the alliance's support for Ukraine, stating, “We stand by Ukraine, and allies continue to make unprecedented contributions to Ukraine’s defenses.”

The ongoing war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has seen frequent long-range strikes by Moscow against Ukrainian infrastructure and civilian areas. Ukraine’s plea for greater military capabilities has remained a critical component of its strategy to counter Russian aggression.