Pentagon Greenlights Ukraine’s Use of Longer-Range Missiles for Self-Defense

The Pentagon has permitted Ukraine to utilize longer-range missiles provided by the US to strike Russian targets even beyond the front lines near Kharkiv in self-defense. This decision marks a shift from earlier restrictions aimed at preventing escalation. The US is also expediting air defense interceptors to counter intensified Russian attacks.

The Pentagon has granted Ukraine the authority to deploy longer-range missiles supplied by the US for targeting Russian positions, extending beyond the immediate front lines near Kharkiv, in instances of self-defense. This policy shift represents a significant adjustment from previous limitations designed to avoid further exacerbation of the conflict.

Initially, President Joe Biden had relaxed the rules governing Ukraine's use of American munitions, enabling the country to better protect Kharkiv from persistent Russian missile strikes. Since the onset of Russia's 2022 invasion, the US had adhered to a policy prohibiting Ukraine from utilizing American-supplied weapons to strike targets within Russian borders, out of concern for escalating the war.

Russian forces have been launching attacks on Ukrainian targets from within Russian territory, treating their own land as a 'safe zone,' according to Pentagon press secretary Maj Gen Pat Ryder. "While witnessing these operations across the border, Ukraine has the right to respond in kind to defend itself," Ryder told reporters on Thursday.

The Pentagon clarified that this new permission does not signify a change in policy. "This isn't a matter of geography; it's about common sense," Army Maj Charlie Dietz explained. "If Russia is launching attacks from its territory into Ukraine, it's logical for Ukraine to respond against those forces across the border. They also have the right to use US-supplied air defense systems against Russian planes, even if the planes are in Russian airspace about to strike Ukrainian territory," Dietz stated.

Concurrently, the White House announced the expedited delivery of air defense interceptor missiles to Ukraine by redirecting shipments initially intended for other allied nations. This move is part of an urgent effort to counter the increasing Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

The United States had been consistently supplying Ukraine with interceptors for its air defense systems, including those for Patriot missile batteries and the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS). National security spokesman John Kirby emphasized the immediacy of the need, citing Russia's accelerated missile and drone assaults on cities and infrastructure centers in anticipation of winter. The accelerated aid package is expected to include hundreds of Patriot missiles.

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