The US is unlikely to allow Ukraine to use its supplied ATACMS missiles for long-range strikes deep within Russia, according to Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh. Speaking at a press briefing, she cited the supposed lack of appropriate military targets within the missiles’ range and mentioned that 90% of Russian aircraft launching glide bombs and firing missiles against Ukraine are at airfields more than 300km away from Ukrainian-controlled territory.
Despite Ukraine’s efforts to secure permission for such attacks, the US has only authorized the use of its weapons in self-defense and not for deep strikes into Russian territory. Pentagon spokesman Major-General Patrick Ryder reiterated that Washington’s “policy has not changed” with respect to “deep strikes” on Russian territory.
However, anonymous US officials suggested on Tuesday that President Joe Biden’s administration was “close” to approving the shipment of long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine. The weapons in question – Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) – could be integrated into US-designed F-16 fighter jets, which arrived in Ukraine early last month.
The rocket boasts a range of around 370km and can be modified to fly more than 800km, allowing the long-range version to reach Moscow and Kaliningrad. The Pentagon could announce its decision this fall; however, actual delivery may take several months due to certain technicalities.
In response, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that any decision to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles would cross Moscow’s “red lines” and could potentially trigger a third world war.