US finalises authorisation for Ukraine to strike deep into Russia

The White House is finalising a plan to ease some restrictions on the use of US weapons by Ukraine. The discussions, which took place in a narrow circle, concern the possibility of expanding the territory inside Russia, which Ukraine will be able to strike using American and British weapons.

This was reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to Politico.

This decision, which is being discussed with Washington, London and Kyiv, is related to the need to strengthen Ukraine's defence and prevent new attacks from Russia. The talks also concern the permission to use British missiles with American components to strike Russia.

Previously, the White House was cautious about expanding Ukraine's use of long-range weapons, fearing an escalation of the conflict with Moscow. However, in recent days, the issue has become more urgent amid Iran's supply of ballistic missiles to Russia.

The decision to lift the remaining restrictions may be made at a meeting between US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer scheduled for next Friday.

For several months, senior US officials have resisted calls from Kyiv and other European countries to lift all restrictions on the use of donated US weapons in Russia.

In May, the Biden administration decided to allow Ukraine to use certain types of weapons to launch strikes in Russia, but banned Kyiv from using long-range missiles. Washington's arguments for maintaining the remaining restrictions have wavered between not wanting to escalate tensions with Moscow and the fact that Russia has moved too many of its expensive targets out of range for Ukraine to strike them even if permission were granted.

U.S. officials also note that since the Army is no longer purchasing Army Tactical Missile Systems, stockpiles are limited and approaching the point where the United States would be concerned about its own stockpile.

The missile's manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, still produces several hundred missiles a year, but they are intended for sale to allies abroad. The replacement for this weapon, the precision strike missile, is just beginning to enter service and not in sufficient numbers to fully replace the missiles currently being used up.

Author - Dmitriy Levchenko, 12/09/2024