How deep Ukraine could strike into Russia with UK and US-supplied long-range weapons
Joe Biden has granted Ukraine permission to strike targets within Russia using US-supplied long-range missiles.
The move, which follows months of pressure from president Volodymyr Zelensky, should enable Ukraine to target military sites deep inside Russia that were previously out of reach.
US president Mr Biden has approved Ukraine to use the long-range Army Tactical Missile System, more commonly known as Atacms, initially in Russia's Kursk region.
He reportedly came to the decision after Russia began deploying North Korean troops to fight alongside Russians in Kursk.
The decision could pave the way for the UK to give Ukraine the green light to fire long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles – however, Downing Street has so far refused to reveal whether the Government has changed its stance.
Ukraine is currently using the US-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (Himars) in Kursk, which has a range of around 50 miles.
Storm Shadow and Atacms can strike considerably further and also pack a greater punch.
Here's a look at the capabilities of the missiles and how deep they could strike into Russian territory.
Atacms
Atacms is a surface-to-surface artillery weapon, capable of striking targets up to 186 miles, or 300km, away.
They made their combat debut with the US Army in 1991 during the First Gulf War.
Ukraine has used Atacms on invading Russian forces since October last year but strikes inside Russia had been prohibited until now.
The weapon can be fired from Himars and Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) missile launchers, both of which are operated by Ukraine.
Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the missiles carry a 500lb (227kg) class blast fragmentation warhead.
The missiles, fitted with a GPS system, can reach up to 186 miles (300km) and are difficult to intercept due to their high speed.
There is also a cluster munitions variant which, when fired, releases hundreds of bomblets rather than a single warhead.
Storm Shadow
Unlike Atacms, Storm Shadow is an air-to-ground cruise missile but packs a similar powerful blow.
The missile, known as a bunker buster, has a range above 155 miles and has been supplied to Ukraine by the UK since 2023.
The 1,300kg missile travels at speeds of more than 600mph and is powered by a turbo-jet engine.
Storm Shadow has its own navigation system and, after launch, descends to a low altitude to avoid detection before locking on to its target using an infrared seeker.
On its final approach, the missile climbs to a higher altitude to maximise the chances of hitting the target.
On impact, it penetrates the target before a delayed fuse detonates the main warhead.
Ukraine has praised the capabilities of Storm Shadow which was used in an attack on Russia's Black Sea fleet headquarters in Sevastopol, Crimea.
Storm Shadow is produced by MBDA and is also used by France where it is called the Scalp.
The UK Government has been reluctant to give Ukraine permission to use Storm Shadow on Russian territory without a shift in US policy, partly because the missiles use American navigation data.
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