An MGM-140 ATACMS multiple missile launcher. Photo: Wikipedia
A reported policy change by the Biden administration to allow the Armed Forces of Ukraine to use US-supplied weapons to strike military targets on Russian territory only includes places within 100 kilometres of the border, The Washington Post reported on Friday.
Ukrainian sources said that the limitation would prevent the Armed Forces of Ukraine from attacking key Russian airfields where planes take off to launch airstrikes on Ukrainian cities. A US official, speaking anonymously, confirmed to the Post that a maximum range had been imposed by Washington, but denied that it was as low as 100 kilometres.
On Thursday Politico reported that Washington had allowed Kyiv to use US-supplied weapons to strike targets anywhere on the frontline, not only along the border of the Kharkiv region, as was originally the case.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stressed that US policy had not changed, but commentators noted that the new guidelines differed significantly from those provided in May.
Until May, the Armed Forces Ukraine Armed Forces had only been allowed to use US weapons in defence, but following a fresh Russian offensive on Ukraine’s eastern Kharkiv region last month, Washington revisited that policy and allowed Kyiv to use American weapons to strike Russian territory.
