The US has debunked claims that allowing Kyiv greater freedom to use its donated ATACMS for strikes deep in Russia would significantly reduce the number of hostile aircraft targeting Ukraine.
White House National Security Advisor John Kirby said that the ATACMS, or Army Tactical Missile System, is ineffective against Russian warplanes used for long-range strikes in Ukraine.
He explained that the aircraft are stationed deep within enemy territory, beyond the range of the long-range weapon, which has a maximum reach of 300 kilometers (186 miles).
“We’ve done the math on this — 90% of them lie outside 300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, deep inside Russia,” Kirby said.
“So, the argument that somehow, if you just give [Ukrainians] an ATACMS and tell them ‘It’s okay’ [to strike deep] that they’re going to be able to go in and hit the majority of the Russian aircraft … is not true; it’s a misconception.”
No Change in Policy
While some of Kyiv’s allies have lifted restrictions on their donated weapons, the US remains firm in its decision that its transferred armaments can only be used for Ukraine’s defense.
In May, President Joe Biden temporarily eased the policy, but only for strikes on Russian-controlled Ukrainian territories.
Kirby said that while the US is committed to helping Ukraine win the war, it will continue its policy to prevent further escalation of the conflict.
“Nothing’s changed about our view that Ukraine should be able to use the tools it has available to defend itself, and that’s why air defense continues to be a prominent issue in these security packages that we’re giving,” he noted.
Despite Washington’s stance, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said he will continue to press the US to allow Kyiv’s forces to target military assets deep within Russian territory.