US may authorize Ukraine to strike deep into Russia, excluding use of ATACMS missiles – The Times

The United States may permit Ukraine to utilize British and French missiles to target Russian territory, but not American weapons.

The Times reported that.

According to unnamed sources, President Joe Biden of the United States may approve Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's request to utilize Storm Shadow and Scalp missiles, with Great Britain and France also backing the decision, for strikes on Russian targets.

At the same time, the USA is unlikely to allow Ukraine to use American ATACMS for strikes.

Biden is expected to discuss the issue with other European leaders to hear their thoughts on any policy changes.

Currently, it is known that both Britain and France are in favor of lifting the restrictions on Ukraine's use of long-range missiles. However, the Americans are currently preventing these changes due to their concerns about potential escalation.

The media had previously reported that the USA would support Ukraine in launching deep strikes on Russia when US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken arrived.

On September 11, Blinken and the head of the British Foreign Ministry, David Lammy, came to Kyiv. However, no relevant decision was made.

For reference:

Currently, Ukraine is asking its partners to allow it to strike military targets deep in Russia with long-range weapons provided by the West.

Generals, diplomats, and civil society leaders signed an open letter to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy urging to allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russia with long-range weapons from its partners.

Later, it was revealed that Great Britain had likely already decided to authorize the use of Storm Shadow cruise missiles by Ukraine against targets in Russian territory. However, this has not yet been officially confirmed.

In addition, a group of Republicans in the US House of Representatives also called on the White House to lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of American long-range weapons, including ATACMS missiles, deep into Russian territory.

On September 10, US President Joe Biden hinted that the US might lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of long-range weapons on Russian territory.

Zelensky said that Ukraine needs permission to use long-range weapons against military facilities on the territory of Russia from four countries – the United States, Great Britain, France, and Germany.

In his turn, Putin said that strikes by the Ukrainian military on the territory of the Russian Federation with the help of long-range weapons would be considered direct participation of Western countries in the war.