Pentagon: Ukraine prohibited from using long-range missiles in Kursk
The Pentagon has prohibited Kiev from deploying ATACMS missiles in Russia's Kursk Region due to concerns about potential escalation. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The United States has decided against allowing the Ukrainian military to use its longer-range missiles for deep penetration strikes into Russia, including the Kursk Region, according to Pentagon deputy spokeswoman Sabrina Singh during a press conference on Thursday. This decision comes in the wake of a significant offensive by Kiev into the Russian border area last week.
Ukraine has consistently urged its Western allies to authorize the use of specific weaponry, such as long-range ATACMS missiles, for operations targeting Russian territory. With the ongoing offensive in Russia’s Kursk Region, Ukrainian appeals for such military capabilities have intensified, with reports that President Vladimir Zelensky has claimed that these strikes could hasten the resolution of the conflict.
The ATACMS missile is capable of reaching targets up to 300 kilometers away and is compatible with the American-made HIMARS rocket launchers.
When questioned about the potential use of these systems by Ukraine, Singh explained that the U.S. had previously established usage guidelines with Ukraine and that these guidelines have not been altered.
The deputy spokesperson outlined that the Pentagon's preferred strategy for Ukraine is to repel Russian forces and reclaim its sovereign territories, notably referring to areas that merged with Russia following a 2022 referendum but are still claimed by Ukraine.
Singh emphasized that, "Doing long-range deep strikes within Russia" may not align with these operational goals and added, “of course, we’re worried about escalation.”
Singh also cautioned that Russia’s lack of response to certain actions should not be interpreted as an inability or unwillingness to respond in the future.
Reports from Western media in late May indicated that President Joe Biden’s administration had discreetly authorized Kiev to conduct strikes inside Russian territory as a countermeasure to Russian activities in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkov Region.
Additionally, in June, it was reported by the Washington Post, based on Ukrainian sources, that Washington had imposed a limit on how far Ukrainian forces could fire into Russian territory, setting the cap at “less than 100 kilometers.” The Russian Defense Ministry also reported having destroyed a U.S.-manufactured HIMARS launcher, which they claimed was utilized in attacks on the Kursk Region.
Meanwhile, recent reporting by The Telegraph revealed that the British government declined Kiev’s request to use Storm Shadow missiles, another type of Western long-range missile, for the Kursk operation.
CNN has also disclosed that the White House’s hesitancy to allow the use of ATACMS by Ukraine might be attributed not only to escalation concerns but also to the constrained availability of these missiles. According to the network, these arms could be more strategically deployed in targeting Russian-controlled Crimea.
On a related note, the Russian Defense Ministry declared on Friday that it intercepted 12 ATACMS missiles aimed at the Crimean Bridge, a frequent target in the ongoing conflict.
US officials, as reported by CNN, express concerns that the Kursk offensive could have dire consequences for Ukraine, noting that the commitment of experienced troops to the operation poses significant risks and could potentially allow Russian forces to capitalize on any resultant vulnerabilities.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
Ukraine has consistently urged its Western allies to authorize the use of specific weaponry, such as long-range ATACMS missiles, for operations targeting Russian territory. With the ongoing offensive in Russia’s Kursk Region, Ukrainian appeals for such military capabilities have intensified, with reports that President Vladimir Zelensky has claimed that these strikes could hasten the resolution of the conflict.
The ATACMS missile is capable of reaching targets up to 300 kilometers away and is compatible with the American-made HIMARS rocket launchers.
When questioned about the potential use of these systems by Ukraine, Singh explained that the U.S. had previously established usage guidelines with Ukraine and that these guidelines have not been altered.
The deputy spokesperson outlined that the Pentagon's preferred strategy for Ukraine is to repel Russian forces and reclaim its sovereign territories, notably referring to areas that merged with Russia following a 2022 referendum but are still claimed by Ukraine.
Singh emphasized that, "Doing long-range deep strikes within Russia" may not align with these operational goals and added, “of course, we’re worried about escalation.”
Singh also cautioned that Russia’s lack of response to certain actions should not be interpreted as an inability or unwillingness to respond in the future.
Reports from Western media in late May indicated that President Joe Biden’s administration had discreetly authorized Kiev to conduct strikes inside Russian territory as a countermeasure to Russian activities in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkov Region.
Additionally, in June, it was reported by the Washington Post, based on Ukrainian sources, that Washington had imposed a limit on how far Ukrainian forces could fire into Russian territory, setting the cap at “less than 100 kilometers.” The Russian Defense Ministry also reported having destroyed a U.S.-manufactured HIMARS launcher, which they claimed was utilized in attacks on the Kursk Region.
Meanwhile, recent reporting by The Telegraph revealed that the British government declined Kiev’s request to use Storm Shadow missiles, another type of Western long-range missile, for the Kursk operation.
CNN has also disclosed that the White House’s hesitancy to allow the use of ATACMS by Ukraine might be attributed not only to escalation concerns but also to the constrained availability of these missiles. According to the network, these arms could be more strategically deployed in targeting Russian-controlled Crimea.
On a related note, the Russian Defense Ministry declared on Friday that it intercepted 12 ATACMS missiles aimed at the Crimean Bridge, a frequent target in the ongoing conflict.
US officials, as reported by CNN, express concerns that the Kursk offensive could have dire consequences for Ukraine, noting that the commitment of experienced troops to the operation poses significant risks and could potentially allow Russian forces to capitalize on any resultant vulnerabilities.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
