The U.S. decision to allow Ukraine to carry out long-range strikes against Russian targets could provide Kyiv with a strategic advantage in its ongoing conflict, but experts warn it may come too late to alter the war’s trajectory. The shift, which permits Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied weapons for deeper strikes into Russian territory, could help Kyiv solidify its hold on regions like Kursk, but analysts suggest the broader impact on the battlefield remains uncertain.
Two months before leaving office, President Joe Biden lifted key restrictions on Ukrainian strikes, marking a significant change in U.S. policy, as reported by Reuters on Sunday. However, military experts caution that while the new policy might support Ukraine’s position in Kursk, it is unlikely to dramatically change the overall course of the war.
“The decision comes late, and like other changes of this nature, it may not have enough time to alter the momentum of the conflict,” said Michael Kofman, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “Long-range strikes were always a piece of the puzzle, but had been given too much weight in expectations.”
Analysts also point out the uncertainty surrounding the policy’s duration, with the incoming administration of President Donald Trump, who has been a vocal critic of U.S. military aid to Ukraine, promising a shift in strategy. Trump has vowed to end the war swiftly, though he has not outlined a clear path forward.
Ukraine has long pushed for the ability to target Russian military assets deep within its borders, particularly airbases used for strikes on Ukrainian territory. Despite the new permissions, Russia’s military continues to make significant territorial gains, especially in eastern Ukraine, putting additional pressure on Kyiv’s defensive efforts.
