Washington Authorizes Kyiv to Use ATACMS Missiles Inside Russian Territory
The timing of the US decision reveals an attempt to strengthen Ukraine's position before Trump takes power, despite fears of potential Russian reactions
November 17, 2024, 9:32 pm

Washington Authorizes Kyiv to Use ATACMS Missiles Inside Russian Territory

US officials reported that President Joe Biden has granted Ukraine permission to use American long-range ATACMS missiles inside Russian territory for the first time. Officials indicated potential targeting of Russian and North Korean forces stationed in the Kursk region of western Russia.

The New York Times noted that the authorization to use the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) comes in response to the unexpected involvement of North Korean forces in the battles.

Officials downplayed this shift making a fundamental change in the conflict's course, explaining that the main goal is to warn Pyongyang about the risks of sending more forces. Officials highlighted the possibility of expanding the use of these weapons with Biden's permission, beyond the Kursk region.

Opinions within the US administration were divided between those fearing a violent Russian response against Washington and its allies, and others minimizing these concerns. Biden's decision marks a radical shift in US policy two months before President-elect Donald Trump, who pledged to reduce support for Ukraine, takes office.

The Russian army is preparing for a large-scale attack involving 50,000 fighters, including North Korean forces, to recapture Ukrainian positions in Kursk. ATACMS missiles allow Kyiv to target force concentrations, equipment, supply centers, and ammunition in the Russian depth, which could weaken the effectiveness of the anticipated attack.

Providing Ukraine with these missiles has been controversial since the Russian invasion in February 2022, with Pentagon officials opposing delivery due to limited US inventory.

The White House was reserved fearing Putin would expand the war's scope, while hardline Moscow policy supporters accuse the Biden administration of being influenced by rigid Russian rhetoric, considering that the gradual arming of Ukraine weakened its military position.

Levant-Agencies

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”