Ukraine can hit Russia with “longer-range missiles” transferred from the United States – Pentagon

We are probably talking about ATACMS missiles, which have until now been banned for attacks on the Russian Federation.

The Ukrainian military is allowed to use longer-range missiles provided by the US to strike targets inside Russia, not just on the front line near Kharkov – if they are acting in self-defense. This was stated by Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder, quoted by AP .

According to him, Russia is firing at Ukrainian targets from deep within its territory, which it considers a “safe zone.”

“As we see these forces conducting these types of operations across the border, we have explained that Ukraine can and has the right to fire back to defend itself,” Ryder told reporters on Thursday.

The Pentagon said the additional authorizations are not a new policy.

“This is not about geography. This is about common sense. If Russia is attacking or intending to attack Ukraine from its territory, it makes sense to allow Ukraine to strike forces that attack it from abroad,” said Army spokesman Maj. Charlie Dietz.

He also assured that the Ukrainians can use the provided air defense systems “to take Russian planes out of the sky,” even if they are in Russian airspace, “if they are going to fire at Ukrainian airspace.”

Note from UNIAN. Although Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder did not explicitly indicate what exactly was meant by “longer-range missiles,” it apparently refers to ATACMS tactical missile systems. Last year, Ukraine received them with a shorter range (160 km), and this year the United States provided a version with a longer range (300 km).

(c)UNIAN 2024