President Joe Biden has allowed Ukraine to use long-range US missiles to strike deep into Russia, insiders said.
The decision comes after Vladimir Putin launched “one of the largest” air strikes in the Ukrainian war so far, using 120 missiles and 90 drones.
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After months of stalemate, President Biden was said last night to have given his blessing to Ukraine just two months before arriving at the White House.
The first deep strikes will likely be carried out using US ATACMS missiles, which have a range of up to 190 miles.
According to French outlet Le Figaro, France and the UK have also given Ukraine permission to carry out strikes deep inside Russian territory using SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles.
Ukraine has received several long-range systems from its partners, most notably the American-made ATACMS, the French SCALP, and the British Storm Shadow, but has not been allowed to use them against targets on Russian territory.
It comes after a deadly overnight Strikes On Saturday, Russian aircraft targeted “sleeping civilians.” energy Infrastructure – with Poland Operating its fighter planes.
President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Putin's attack as a massive joint strike on “all regions” of the war-torn country – causing several power outages.
As winter approaches, Ukrainian authorities fear that Vlad is aiming to eliminate the key power Networks to paralyze the economy and break the morale of brave civilians.
Biden's latest move now represents a major shift in US policy as he is about to leave office and President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to limit US support for Ukraine and end the war as soon as possible.
Richard Grenell, one of Trump's closest foreign policy advisers, criticized the decision on X.
Commenting on the news, he wrote: “Escalate the wars before he leaves office.”
Three informed sources said that US weapons would likely be used in response to North Korea's decision to send thousands of troops to Russia to support Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
The insiders were not allowed to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The sources said that Ukraine is planning to launch its first long-range attacks in the coming days, without revealing details due to operational security concerns.
In a speech this evening, President Zelensky said that strikes “are not carried out with words” and that “the missiles will speak for themselves.”
He stated that the “victory plan” he presented to the partners included “key points” such as the long-range capabilities of the Ukrainian army.
The Ukrainian leader said: “Today, there is a lot of talk in the media about our obtaining permission to carry out the actions in question.
He added, “But strikes are not carried out with words. Such matters are not announced. The missiles will speak for themselves. They will certainly speak.”
In response to the Russian attack overnight, Zelensky said that today represented “one of the largest and most dangerous Russian attacks in the entire war.”
He said: “This is the response to everyone who wanted to achieve something with Putin through talks, phone calls, hugs and appeasement.
“Today, the Dove of Peace sent us another barrage of Kinjal and Caliber missiles. This is his diplomacy. His language is betrayal.”
Zelensky added that time should be invested “not in talking to someone in Moscow, but in actually forcing Russia to end the war.”
The lifting of the US embargo represents a major escalation in the war and is “important in terms of the endgame,” according to a former senior NATO official.
Nicholas Williams said this step is important when it comes to “putting Ukraine in a position that does not allow it to make the significant concessions that Russia wants in order to achieve peace.”
He told Sky News: “It's important.
“The Ukrainians may say it's too late, but it's not too late to influence the endgame.”
Lifting the US embargo could now see Sir Keir Starmer also allow Volodymyr Zelensky to use Britain's Storm Shadow missiles to hit targets.
Vladimir Putin warned earlier that any such decision would drag NATO into direct conflict with Russia.
According to the TASS news agency, Vladimir Dzhabarov, First Deputy Chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian Senate, said that Washington's decision could lead to World War III and would receive a quick response.
President Zelensky was appealing to the allies to grant him approval to use the weapons provided to him by the West deep into Russian territory.
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Sir Keir yesterday made a veiled criticism of the German Chancellor over her phone call to Vladimir Putin after Russia launched its deadliest missile attack in months.
The Prime Minister announced that he had no plans to speak with the Russian leader despite Olaf Scholz defending his call when necessary.
Earlier this week, the German Chancellor spoke with Putin about what was the Russian leader's first public conversation with the head of a major Western power in nearly two years.
But speaking to reporters on his way to the G20 summit in Brazil, Sir Keir said: “It's a question of Chancellor Schultz who he talks to.
He added, “I have no plans to talk to Putin. We are approaching the thousandth day of this conflict on Tuesday, that is, 1,000 days of Russian aggression, 1,000 days of tremendous influence and sacrifices in relation to the Ukrainian people.”
“More recently we have seen the addition of North Korean forces working with the Russians, which has serious implications.”
The Prime Minister pledged that Ukraine would be “at the top of his agenda” at the G20 summit of world leaders this week, telling reporters that “there must be full support for as long as it takes”.
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Sir Keir continued: “I think on the one hand this shows Russia's desperation, but it has serious implications for European security. […] And for the security of the Indo-Pacific region, that's why I think we need to redouble our efforts to strengthen our support for Ukraine, and that's at the top of my G20 agenda.
He added: “There must be full support for as long as it takes, and that is certainly at the top of my agenda, strengthening this additional support for Ukraine.”
His comments came as Ukraine was bombarded with more than 210 missiles and drones in a brutal overnight attack that killed at least seven people.
Sir Keir pledged to “support” Kiev, making it his top priority at the summit.
The G20 in Rio comes as the world's richest countries prepare for President-elect Donald Trump to shake up the global order – with fears he could force a peace deal with Russia and cut support.
Just days ago, Trump's potential plan to end the war emerged after a phone call with Ukrainian President Zelensky after his victory.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump's plan includes establishing a demilitarized zone along the front line and a pledge from Kiev not to join NATO for 20 years.
In return, the United States will continue to arm Ukraine to the teeth to prevent Putin from invading it again.
But the United States will not send troops to enforce the buffer zone or fund the mission.
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