Ukraine gets green light for ATACMS strikes on Russia: White House

Ukraine has used U.S. supplied ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) in the Kursk region after the White House gave the go ahead for strikes inside Russian territory.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby confirmed permission had been granted during a press briefing on Monday in which he said Kyiv can use the 190 mile-range weapons "on an immediate-need basis, and right now, understandably, that's taken place in and around Kursk."

He said the White House gave Kyiv "guidance that they can use them to strike…particular types of targets."

Newsweek has emailed the Russian defense ministry for comment.

Following months of calls by Kyiv for the U.S. to drop restrictions on use of the weapon, Ukraine reportedly used ATACMS to target Russian military facilities in the Bryansk region on November 19.

This followed unconfirmed reports two days earlier that U.S. President Joe Biden had dropped his administration's prohibition on certain types of weapon being used to target Russian soil that had been in place for fear of escalation.

Video on Monday purported to show another ATACMS strike, this time on an airfield in Kursk. Ukrainian forces staged an incursion into Kursk on August 6 and face a fierce fight to hold onto territory after Moscow reportedly deployed tens of thousands of its troops to the border region, including personnel from North Korea.

ATACMS' range has allowed Kyiv to target Russian military sites in Crimea as well as a bridge connecting the occupied peninsula to Russia.

Zev Faintuch, head of research and intelligence at security firm Global Guardian, told Newsweek last week that while the U.S. has been tardy in dropping its prohibition on ATACMS use, it's "better late than never."

He said questions remain over the details of the permission, and whether Ukraine will be allowed to strike ammunition storage depots, logistical hubs and command and control centers.

"It's one thing to use these weapons within Ukraine's 1991 borders," he said. "It's totally another thing if they're allowed to strike refineries, fuel depots and other more strategic targets."

Attacks on the latter could have a significant economic impact.

Before the White House confirmed permission for the use of ATACMS on Russian territory, retired U.S. Lieutenant General Ben Hodges had told Newsweek that while it was an "improved policy" it was still not linked to "any clearly defined strategic objective."

However, the former commanding general of the United States Army Europe said ATACMS "will help disrupt Russian and North Korean attacks on the Kursk bridgehead by destroying headquarters, artillery and logistics."