Pentagon clarifies why it won't allow Ukraine access to long-range missiles
Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh has stated that Kiev would be unable to target most Russian airbases, even if it were permitted to carry out long-range strikes. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh has expressed that if the US were to supply Ukraine with ATACMS missiles for long-range strikes into Russia, they might not be very effective. According to Singh, the primary issue is the limited number of military targets within the missile's reach.
The US has limited its military support to Ukraine to weapons that are used defensively, not allowing for attacks deep into Russian territory. However, Ukraine has been actively seeking permission from the US to carry out such strikes.
At a recent press briefing, Singh highlighted that based on US intelligence, "90% of Russian aircraft launching the glide bombs and firing missiles against Ukraine are at airfields that are 300km away from Ukrainian controlled territory," thus beyond the reach of the ATACMS missiles.
Should Ukraine attack the remaining airfields within range, Singh theorized that Russia could simply relocate these facilities further from the border. "Even if Ukraine, you know, were to use ATACMS against the very small percentage… of the airfields that remain in range," she remarked, suggesting the overall strategic impact would be minimal and the threat from Russian glide bombs would persist.
Meanwhile, despite discussions and speculations, US officials like Pentagon spokesman Major-General Patrick Ryder have maintained that there is no change in the US policy against enabling deep strikes on Russian soil.
In related coverage, Reuters reported potential advancements in US military aid to Ukraine, including the possibility of supplying Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) which could reach significant Russian targets from Ukrainian-operated US-designed F-16 fighter jets. These discussions are reportedly still ongoing, and any decision may not be finalized for some time.
Adding to the geopolitical tension, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that arming Ukraine with such long-range missiles could be seen as crossing a "red line," potentially escalating to a major conflict. Lavrov has also accused the West of seeking escalation rather than avoiding it.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
The US has limited its military support to Ukraine to weapons that are used defensively, not allowing for attacks deep into Russian territory. However, Ukraine has been actively seeking permission from the US to carry out such strikes.
At a recent press briefing, Singh highlighted that based on US intelligence, "90% of Russian aircraft launching the glide bombs and firing missiles against Ukraine are at airfields that are 300km away from Ukrainian controlled territory," thus beyond the reach of the ATACMS missiles.
Should Ukraine attack the remaining airfields within range, Singh theorized that Russia could simply relocate these facilities further from the border. "Even if Ukraine, you know, were to use ATACMS against the very small percentage… of the airfields that remain in range," she remarked, suggesting the overall strategic impact would be minimal and the threat from Russian glide bombs would persist.
Meanwhile, despite discussions and speculations, US officials like Pentagon spokesman Major-General Patrick Ryder have maintained that there is no change in the US policy against enabling deep strikes on Russian soil.
In related coverage, Reuters reported potential advancements in US military aid to Ukraine, including the possibility of supplying Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) which could reach significant Russian targets from Ukrainian-operated US-designed F-16 fighter jets. These discussions are reportedly still ongoing, and any decision may not be finalized for some time.
Adding to the geopolitical tension, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that arming Ukraine with such long-range missiles could be seen as crossing a "red line," potentially escalating to a major conflict. Lavrov has also accused the West of seeking escalation rather than avoiding it.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
