WSJ: Pentagon blocked Ukraine's long-range strikes on Russian territory for months
Pete Hegseth (Photo: EPA)

For months, the Pentagon has been blocking Ukraine's use of long-range missiles to strike Russian territory. About reported The Wall Street Journal and U.S. officials.

An unannounced high-level Defense Department approval procedure since late spring has prohibited Ukraine from launching U.S. long-range tactical missile systems (ATACMS) at targets deep inside Russia, officials said.

Two officials reported that Ukraine had tried to use ATACMS to attack targets in Russia at least once, but was denied.

The publication notes that Pentagon Deputy Defense Secretary Albright Colby has developed a "review mechanism" to address Kyiv's requests for long-range weapons made in the United States and those provided to Ukraine by European allies that rely on American intelligence and components.

This review gives the Minister of Defense Pete Hegseth the final word on whether Ukraine can use the ATACMS system to strike targets in Russia.

Reference
Biden administration hands over long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine only in the fall of 2023and allowed them to be used in Russia – the in November 2024the transfer was made a few months before the end of the US president's term. Biden's national security adviser, Sullivan, claimed that it took two years of full-scale invasion to transfer these missiles due to their shortage. Since ATACMS are ballistic missiles, their use has shown high efficiency against the occupiers.
  • on August 21, US President Donald Trump said that in order to win Ukraine needs to comply with to Russian attacks, not just defend ourselves.
  • On the same day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that in late 2025 and early 2026, Ukraine would start mass production of the Flamingo missile. According to the head of state, this missile is "the most successful we have."