Ukraine’s new capability to target deeper into Russian territory using missiles is expected to have only a limited effect, according to retired U.S. Army Major Mike Lyons. Appearing on “Elizabeth Vargas Reports,” Lyons expressed that it may be “too late” to make a substantial difference in the conflict. “This will allow Ukraine to target fixed military positions that were previously out of reach,” he explained.
Russia, he noted, had relocated some military sites closer to the border to avoid Ukrainian artillery and short-range fire. With this new missile capability, Ukraine now has the option to target installations deeper within Russia.
Biden’s approval of long-range strikes sparks Russian warnings of escalating international tensions
Lyons also raised concerns about the timing of the decision. “I don’t understand why this wasn’t allowed two or three years ago,” he remarked, criticizing the approach of managing the conflict rather than empowering Ukraine to take decisive action to win. In a policy change, President Biden authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied missiles to strike farther into Russian territory.
This shift in strategy comes as Russia increases its military presence, deploying thousands of North Korean troops to bolster its offensive, as reported by a U.S. official and others familiar with the situation. Russian authorities warned that Biden’s decision would “add fuel to the fire” of the ongoing war and intensify international tensions.
As Russia’s full-scale invasion nears its 1,000-day mark, Biden’s policy shift introduces a new layer of uncertainty to the conflict. The change in strategy coincides with a deadly Russian missile strike on Sumy, a northern Ukrainian residential area, which killed 11 people and injured 84.
Another missile attack on Odesa, a southern port city, resulted in fires in apartment buildings, killing at least 10 and injuring 43, according to Ukraine’s Interior Ministry.
