Kyiv had long requested permission to use U.S. weapons to launch strikes deep into Russia before the Biden administration gave the go-ahead.
The Department of Defense has been blocking Ukraine from using long-range missiles to strike deep into Russian territory, according to a new report.Why It Matters
Ukrainian use of long-range missiles has long been a thorny issue for the U.S., although the Joe Biden administration finally greenlit Kyiv’s use of American Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles as it left office last year. ATACMS have a range of roughly 190 miles.
Kyiv had long clamored for permission to use long-range Western weaponry far across the border. Ukraine instead turned to its homegrown drones to strike hundreds of miles into Russian territory.What To Know
Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s policy chief, developed a review process to decide whether Kyiv would be able to fire long-range Western weapons into Russia, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing anonymous U.S. officials.
The review, which came into effect in the «late spring», covers both U.S.-made kit like ATACMS and weapons donated by Kyiv’s European backers that hinge on U.S. support to be used effectively, according to the report.
Ukraine previously said the restrictions on long-range strikes constrained its ability to fight Russia and to defend itself. Two officials told the outlet that Kyiv had attempted to use ATACMS against Russia, but was rebuffed on at least one occasion.
The decision on whether Ukraine could use these missiles ultimately falls to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Journal reported.
«Secretary Hegseth is working in lockstep with President Trump», Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said in a statement.
