Latest Ukraine war news as Biden says US missiles can strike Russia
It is being billed as a hugely significant moment in the war between Ukraine and Russia. US president Joe Biden, who has just two months left in the White House, has given Ukraine permission to use long-range missiles supplied by the US to strike targets in Russia.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has long demanded this kind of support from Western allies, which has been finally been granted.
According to the New York Times, the recent deployment of North Korean troops to back Russia in the Kursk border region influenced the decision in Washington. Biden had previously held back on allowing the use of its Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, in Russian territory.
The move could also give Ukraine leverage ahead of any future talks to resolve the conflict, which are thought to be more likely once Donald Trump enters the Oval Office in January.
Read more from our media partners below or click the headlines to skip ahead
> Biden allows Kyiv to begin firing US rockets deep into Russia
> Kremlin accuses Biden of throwing 'oil on fire'
> Zelensky says 'missiles will speak for themselves'
> UK 'will let Ukraine fire Storm Shadow missiles' into Russia
> Russian lawmaker says Biden is risking WW3
Biden allows Kyiv to begin firing US rockets deep into Russia
Joe Biden has authorised Ukraine to begin firing US-supplied rockets deep into Russia – as Sir Keir Starmer prepares to push for "further support" for Kyiv at the G20 summit.
Mr Biden's policy shift means Kyiv will now be able to use Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) for long-range attacks, two American officials have told Sky News' US partner network NBC News.
Ukraine plans to conduct its first such attacks in the coming days, the sources said.
Read the full story from Sky News here
Kremlin accuses Biden of throwing 'oil on fire'
The Kremlin has accused the Biden administration of escalating the war in Ukraine by allowing Ukraine to use US long-range missiles to strike Russia.
Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the move would lead to a rise in tensions and represent a new level of involvement in the conflict. Mr Peskov said: “If such a decision has been taken, it means a whole new spiral of tension and a whole new situation with regard to US involvement in this conflict.”
Read the full story from the Evening Standard here
Zelensky says 'missiles will speak for themselves'
Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken after a long-awaited decision came from Washington giving permission for Ukraine to use US-supplied long-range missiles to strike targets deeper inside Russia.
But despite Zelensky pleading such permission for weeks, his response in his nightly video address was notably muted.
Read the full story from Euronews here
UK 'will let Ukraine fire Storm Shadow missiles' into Russia
A Cabinet minister stressed Britain was giving “full backing” to Ukraine amid a report that it will join America in allowing Kyiv to fire West-supplied long-range missiles into Russia.
Le Figaro newspaper reported that France and the UK have given consent for use of their Scalp and Storm Shadow missiles.
This has not been confirmed by either the French or British governments.
Read the full story from the Evening Standard here
Russian lawmaker says Biden is risking WW3
Russian lawmaker Maria Butina said on Monday that the administration of President Joe Biden was risking World War Three if it had allowed Ukraine to use US-made weapons to strike deep into Russia.
"These guys, Biden's administration, is trying to escalate the situation to the maximum while they still have power and are still in office," Butina told Reuters.
"I have a great hope that (Donald) Trump will overcome this decision if this has been made because they are seriously risking the start of World War Three which is not in anybody's interest."
Read the full story from Reuters here
