Rumors of 100,000 North Korean Troops Deployment... US Approves Missile Use for Ukraine to Strike Russian Mainland (Comprehensive)

Biden Makes Decision Two Months Before Trump's Inauguration
Warns North Korea of 100,000 Troop Deployment Rumors
Seems Aware of Trump's Push for End-of-War Negotiations

U.S. President Joe Biden has reportedly approved Ukraine's use of long-range missiles provided by the United States to strike Russian mainland targets. This move is seen as a measure to strengthen Ukraine's negotiating power, which is currently at a disadvantage against Russia, ahead of the Trump administration's second term, set to begin in two months, while also sending a warning to North Korea to halt troop deployments.

On the 17th (local time), several local media outlets, including the U.S. daily The New York Times (NYT), cited multiple sources reporting that Ukraine is expected to carry out its first long-range attack against Russia within the next few days.

The first attack on Russian mainland by Ukraine is expected to use ATACMS missiles with a range of approximately 306 km. These missiles are likely to be launched against Russian and North Korean forces to defend Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region of western Russia.

Until now, Ukraine had requested weapons from the U.S. that would allow it to strike military facilities on Russian soil. Concerned about escalation, the U.S. had refused Ukraine's requests and did not provide weapons capable of deep strikes into Russian territory. Additionally, the weapons provided came with restrictions prohibiting their use for such purposes. However, by allowing Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied weapons to strike Russian mainland this time, the U.S. has significantly shifted its policy stance.

This U.S. decision comes amid North Korea deploying troops to Russia and a large-scale North Korean military engagement in combat against Ukraine. U.S. officials explain that the move aims to send a message that no further North Korean troop deployments should occur. Some concerns have been raised that North Korea might significantly increase its troop deployment to Russia. On the same day, Bloomberg News cited sources from some Group of Twenty (G20) member countries reporting that North Korea could deploy up to 100,000 troops to Russia. Currently, South Korea, the U.S., and Ukraine estimate North Korea's troop deployment to Russia to be around 12,000.

It is also analyzed that the peace plan of President-elect Donald Trump, who will take office on January 20 next year, influenced this decision. Trump is expected to be negative about additional support to Ukraine and may seek to lead peace negotiations on the condition that Russia retains control over the Ukrainian territories it has already occupied. In this context, if Ukraine can strike Russian mainland, it is expected to enter peace negotiations from a more advantageous position than it currently holds.

However, some U.S. officials have expressed concerns that approving the use of long-range missiles by Ukraine could provoke retaliatory measures from Russia. On the other hand, President Biden is reported to have judged that the benefits outweigh the risks of escalation.