Joe Biden has authorised Ukraine's use of long range missiles to attack Russia as Donald Trump’s eldest son accuses the US president of significantly escalating the war.
Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, have a range of up to 190 miles.
This policy shift - which means Kyiv can now use the US-supplied missiles inside Russia - comes just before president-elect Donald Trump is due to take office.
The Biden administration is understood to be concerned about Trump’s promise to limit support for Ukraine and end the war.
President Biden has authorised Ukraine to use long range missiles in their war effort
GettySeveral big figures, including Trump’s eldest son Donald Trump Jr publicly criticised the move - warning that Biden risks starting World War three.
Trump Jr tweeted: “The military industrial complex seems to want to make sure they get World War 3 going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives. Gotta lock in those $Trillions. Life be damned!!! Imbeciles!”
Entrepreneur David Sacks also weighed in, posting on his account: "President Trump won a clear mandate to end the war in Ukraine. So what does Biden do in his final two months in office?
"Massively escalate it. Is his goal to hand Trump the worst situation possible?”
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This decision comes after Russia sent 50,000 troops to Kursk where Kyiv launched a counteroffensive this past summer.
North Korean troops have also been deployed to help Russia.
After permissions were granted, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said: "Today, there's a lot of talk in the media about us receiving permission for respective actions. But strikes are not carried out with words. Such things are not announced. Missiles will speak for themselves. They certainly will."
Former Senior NATO official Nicholas Williams told Sky News that the move was significant in affecting the end game. He added that it was important in “positioning Ukraine to not make the significant concessions which Russia wants in order to get peace”.
Russia has sent 50,000 troops to Kursk (stock photo)
GETTYHowever, in September, Russian President Vladimir Putin said if the US were to lift this ban it would be seen as NATO’s direct participation in the war, something he said would “significantly change the very essence, the very nature of the conflict.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has previously said he would be in favour of authorising the use of these missiles.
He said he has not planned to speak to President Putin, as world leaders gather for the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro. Putin will not be in attendance.
“I have no plans to speak to Putin," Starmer said.
