TL;DR: President Trump has authorized Ukraine to use American-supplied drones and missiles for long-range strikes inside Russian territory, signaling a significant policy shift. Ukraine has also requested Tomahawk missiles, but a decision on that is still pending. This authorization follows a series of intense Russian attacks on Ukraine and aims to weaken Russian military infrastructure.
Key Points:
- Authorization for Strikes: President Trump has approved Ukraine's use of long-range drones and missiles to strike targets within Russian territory. U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg confirmed this decision, stating there are "no sanctuaries" for Russian forces.
- Request for Tomahawks: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy requested Tomahawk missiles from Trump during a recent U.N. General Assembly meeting. The decision on supplying these missiles is still under consideration.
- Russian Attack on Ukraine: The authorization follows a massive Russian drone and missile assault on Ukraine on September 28, 2025, which resulted in at least four deaths and 70 injuries. Kyiv faced the heaviest of the attacks.
- Context and Policy Shift: Trump's decision marks a departure from his earlier reluctance to allow strikes on Russian soil, responding to mounting pressure from NATO and Ukraine, especially after North Korean forces were deployed to Russia's Kursk region.
- Geopolitical Implications: The U.S. decision is seen as a strategic move to weaken Russian military infrastructure. However, analysts warn it could escalate the conflict, with Russia potentially retaliating against U.S. or NATO interests.
- Next Steps: Official U.S. government statements are expected in the next 24-48 hours to clarify the scope and conditions of the authorization. The Tomahawk missile decision remains unresolved.