Pentagon Limits Ukraine's Strikes Inside Russia: A New US Policy?

Pentagon Restricts Ukraine's Use of Long-Range Missiles Against Targets Inside Russia

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, the Pentagon is restricting Ukraine's use of long-range missiles to strike targets inside Russian territory. U.S. officials indicate that these restrictions limit Kyiv's ability to employ powerful weapons in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

According to officials, senior Defense Department officials in late spring introduced an undisclosed approval process preventing Ukraine from using any U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (Atacms) to strike targets inside Russia. Two officials stated that Ukraine requested at least once to use Atacms to strike targets inside Russia, but the request was denied.

The Rationale Behind the Restrictions

The U.S. denial of long-range strikes limits Ukrainian military operations as Washington attempts to lure the Kremlin into initiating peace talks. Reports suggest that Deputy Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby created a 'review mechanism' to determine whether Ukraine could use European-made long-range weapons manufactured in the United States and reliant on U.S. intelligence and components. The mechanism grants Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth final authority to decide whether to approve the use of Atacms, which have a range of nearly 190 miles, to strike Russia.

In a statement, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: 'President Trump has made it clear that the conflict in Ukraine must end. There is currently no change in the military posture in the Russian-Ukrainian situation. Secretary Hegseth is highly aligned with President Trump.'

Potential Repercussions

This restriction represents a significant shift from the previous Biden administration's policy, which allowed Ukraine to use Atacms to strike targets inside Russia in the final year of his term. This change raises questions about the U.S. strategy in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and its impact on the war's trajectory.

While U.S.-supplied weapons, such as Atacms and other long-range arms, have not fully altered the game, they have enabled Ukraine to threaten Russian command and control headquarters and airports far from the front lines. Meanwhile, Moscow maintains a significant advantage in manpower, weapons, and resources.

It is worth noting that this decision comes as the United States considers assisting Ukraine in developing its own defense capabilities. Ukraine recently announced the development of a new cruise missile called the 'Flamingo,' which is expected to enter production by the end of this year or early next year.

In conclusion, the new restrictions imposed by the Pentagon on Ukraine's use of long-range missiles against targets inside Russia represent a significant development in U.S. policy toward the Russia-Ukraine conflict. It will have a significant impact on Ukrainian military operations and may affect the course of the war overall.