In spite of the US decision to allow Ukraine to use US-supplied weapons for limited strikes against Russian territory, the Ukrainian military is still having difficulty engaging Russian targets in depth, according to AP News.
The Russian offensive and the deteriorating situation for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) compelled the US to allow Kyiv to use US-supplied artillery and missile systems to defend the eastern city of Kharkiv. Ukrainian forces have previously used US weapons at least once to strike Russia, specifically Belgorod. However, Ukrainian and European officials are pressuring the White House to ease restrictions. Kyiv now has permission to strike Russian border areas and across the wider region.
Despite, Ukrainian commanders asserted without the ability to use long-range guided missiles such as ATACMS, their options are very limited. For instance, airfields and military infrastructure deep behind Russia’s lines are safe. Gefast (callsign), an artillery commander in the Kharkiv region, said:
We could target (Russian) brigade command points and the entire northern grouping because they are located 100 to 150 kilometres from the front line. Normal ammunition can’t get at them. With this kind, we can do a lot to destroy their centres of command.
Earlier this year, the US commenced supplying Ukraine with long-range ATACMS systems, but subject to rules, including that the systems are not to be used for strikes inside Russia and must be used on sovereign territory. Now, however, after the situation began to rapidly deteriorate for the Ukrainian side, the US has expanded the scope of its policy to allow counterstrikes over a wider region. Nevertheless, the Biden Administration has not lifted the restrictions on Ukraine that prohibit the use of US-provided ATACMS systems to strike Russian territory.
The ban thus prevents attacks on airfields and military infrastructure deep behind Russia’s lines. Ukrainian military officials voice disapproval, saying Western allies are undermining Kyiv’s ability to fight effectively, mainly for fear of provoking Moscow. They insist the US should allow Ukraine to strike deeper into Russia using ATACMS, which can reach more than 100 kilometres (62 miles). Yehor Cherniev, deputy chairman of the parliamentary committee on national security, defence and intelligence, said earlier this month:
Unfortunately, we still cannot reach, for example, airfields and their aircraft. This is the problem. That’s why we are asking (allies) to lift the restrictions to use long-range missiles against limited military targets in the territory of Russia.
Yesterday Pentagon spokesperson Major Charlie Dietz issued a statement indicating Ukraine might employ US-supplied weaponry to strike deep into Russia, but only in self-defence, causing some controversy. Today, a Ukrainian ATACMS missile exploded over a beach in Crimea, showering sunbathing tourists with shrapnel, according to authorities in Sevastopol. Officials and the Russian Defence Ministry said three people, including two children, killed in the incident, which occurred as a result of an air defence attempt to intercept the US-made long-range missile, the Telegraph reported.
In turn, Ukrainian officials say only desperate combat conditions might convince US officials to lift the restriction. Similar to the last time the US made a decision as Ukrainian troops were preparing to fight in anticipation of Russia opening a new front in the northeast.
