A new US policy prohibits Ukraine from hitting key Russian airfields, including those more than 100 kilometres into Russia, The Washington Post reports, citing two Ukrainian officials.
"A new US policy allowing Ukraine to fire certain American weapons at Russian territory has led to a reduction in some Russian attacks but still restricts the range enough that it prevents Ukraine from hitting key airfields," the newspaper said.
Those airfields are used by Russian jets that drop the deadly glide bombs now inflicting the greatest damage on military positions and civilians.
The Ukrainian officials said the United States has restricted Ukraine to firing less than 100 kilometers from the border.
US officials declined to specify the limitation but said the Ukrainians’ assertion of less than 100 kilometers was incorrect.
"The US has agreed to allow Ukraine to fire US-provided weapons into Russia where Russian forces are coming to attempt to take Ukrainian territory. This is not about geography or a certain radius, but if Russia is attacking or about to attack from its territory into Ukraine, Ukraine has the ability to hit back against the forces that are hitting it from across the border," said Pentagon spokesman Major Charlie Dietz.
Also, according to the spokesman, Ukraine is permitted to use US-supplied air defence systems to strike Russian planes if they were about to fire into Ukrainian airspace.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan emphasised the point in an interview on PBS: "This is not about geography. It’s about common sense. If Russia is attacking or about to attack from its territory into Ukraine, it only makes sense to allow Ukraine to hit back against the forces that are hitting it from across the border."
While officials in Kyiv do not want to be seen as publicly contradicting their American counterparts, it is clear that the Ukrainian military does not believe it has as much latitude as the statements from White House and Pentagon officials seem to suggest.
The publication adds that, based on the results of Ukrainian strikes over the past three weeks, it is likely that Ukraine is limited to striking Russian territory.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that the US policy limiting Ukraine's usage of American weapons in Russia had effectively created "a vast sanctuary … which Russia exploits to shield its combat forces, command and control, logistics, and rear area support services".
The weapons provided by the United States for strikes on Russian territory have definitely changed the situation. The aggressor also felt it directly on the front line. However, according to the publication's sources, the range and category of weapons are not sufficient.
According to ISW, the easing of US restrictions in the areas close to Kharkiv had reduced Russia's "ground sanctuary" by only 15%.