Ukraine gets green light for long-range missile use
According to "Le Figaro," France and the United Kingdom have followed the United States by allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles for attacks on Russian territory.
The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has given the green light for Ukraine to use American weapons to strike targets deep into Russia, reported Reuters on Sunday, citing several sources familiar with the matter. Other media also shared similar information, citing sources from the U.S. administration.
Media reports indicate that France and the United Kingdom have also allowed Ukraine to use long-range SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles for attacks deep into Russia.
Biden's decision marks a change in policy since the beginning of the war. In May, the president agreed to use American weapons for strikes in border regions on the Russian side of the border, but this did not include the use of ATACMS and other longer-range missiles. Representatives from Kyiv had long advocated for such a change, but the administration had previously held back from making a decision.
Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin argued that lifting the restrictions would not change much because Ukraine possesses its own weapons with similar or longer range, and the Russians have relocated some of their resources—such as bombers used to shell Ukraine—deeper into the country, out of the range of ATACMS. Biden was concerned that it could lead to an even greater escalation of the conflict. The Kremlin warned that it would consider such a move a significant escalation.
