2024-11-17 19:09:00
Update
November 17, 2024
20:09
The Americans finally agreed to Ukraine‘s request to carry out long-range attacks into Russian territory.
President Joe Biden‘s administration has lifted restrictions that previously prevented Ukraine from using U.S.-supplied weapons to strike deep into Russian territorythree sources familiar with the decision told Reuters. Kyiv plans to carry out its first long-range attacks in the coming daysthe sources added, without revealing details due to operational security concerns.
The White House declined to comment.
The decision taken by Joe Biden a little more than two months before his successor, Donald Trump, takes officeon January 20, responds to a long request date of Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky to be able to use American weapons to strike military targets far from his border, in particular the airfields used by the Russian air force to bomb Ukraine.
Washington’s policy shift also followsu deployment of North Korean troops in the Kursk region of Russia to fight against the Ukrainian army, a development which has caused concern in Washington and Kyiv. The decision also comes as Moscow led on Sunday a new massive missile strike against the Ukrainian energy network.
Massive attack on Ukraine
Ukraine suffered “one of the largest” air attacks launched by Russia on Sunday. According to Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky, Russia launched around 120 missiles and 90 drones in ‘massive’ combined airstrike against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
“The enemy has targeted our energy infrastructure throughout Ukraine. Unfortunately, damage was caused to the facilities by strikes and falling debris,” he said in a statement posted on social media.
The extent of the damage is not yet known.. Authorities cut off power to many areas of the city, including in Kyiv, its region and the Dnipropetrovsk regionas a precautionary measure, it was explained, to avoid a power surge in the event of damage.
The authorities of the Volhinia regionin northwestern Ukraine, said energy infrastructure had suffered damage, but did not provide further details. Authorities often refuse to disclose the state of the electricity network in the context of war.
Poland takes off fighter jets during Russian attack in Ukraine
The Polish army announced on Sunday that it had taken off fighter planes and mobilized “all available forces and resources” to protect its territory during a “massive Russian missile and drone attack” on Ukraine.
“Due to a massive attack by the Russian Federation carrying out cruise missile, ballistic missile and drone strikes against facilities in, among other places, western Ukraine, Operations of Polish and allied aircraft in our airspace have begun,” the Polish Central Command wrote on the social network X.
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What are the key factors driving the U.S. policy shift towards supporting Ukraine with long-range attack capabilities?
**News Editor: Interview with Security Analyst Dr. Helen Carter on Changes in U.S. Policy Towards Ukraine**
**News Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Helen Carter. We’re seeing significant changes in the military support provided by the U.S. to Ukraine, especially with the recent approval for long-range attacks into Russian territory. What do you think prompted this policy shift?
**Dr. Helen Carter:** Thank you for having me. The U.S. decision to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s use of American weapons for deep strikes into Russian territory appears to be a strategic response to multiple factors. Not only has President Zelensky consistently advocated for this capability, but the recent developments—such as the involvement of North Korean troops on the Russian front—have escalated the urgency.
**News Editor:** Indeed, the deployment of North Korean forces raises some alarms. How might this affect the dynamics of the conflict?
**Dr. Helen Carter:** North Korean support could bolster Russia’s military capacity and complicate the situation for Ukraine. The Biden administration’s approval for long-range strikes may serve to counterbalance these new threats and encourage a more robust defense strategy from Ukraine.
**News Editor:** What impact do you think the recent massive missile attack on Ukraine’s infrastructure will have on both Ukrainian morale and international support?
**Dr. Helen Carter:** The scale of that missile strike, reportedly one of the largest yet, signals to both Ukrainians and their allies that Russia remains committed to crippling Ukraine’s ability to sustain itself. However, such aggressive tactics may also galvanize international support for Ukraine, as they highlight the dire need for sustained military assistance to defend against these attacks.
**News Editor:** Looking ahead, how do you see the next few months unfolding as we approach the transition to a new U.S. administration in January 2025?
**Dr. Helen Carter:** This transition is crucial. While Biden’s current administration is making these decisions in response to immediate threats, the incoming Trump administration may have different priorities. It’s vital for Ukraine to capitalize on this window of support, conducting long-range operations effectively and solidifying international alliances to prepare for potential policy changes.
**News Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Carter, for your insights on this pivotal moment for Ukraine and U.S. foreign policy.
**Dr. Helen Carter:** Thank you for having me.