During a press briefing on September 30, 2024, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller was asked if Ukraine could use US-supplied long-range weapons to prevent renewed Russian bomb strikes on Zaporizhzhia. Miller responded that Ukraine has the capability to conduct such strikes using their own domestically-produced weapons without needing US permission.
Despite Ukraine’s appeals for help amid escalating Russian air attacks, Western nations, including the US and UK, have restricted the use of their long-range weapons like ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles to prevent deep strikes inside Russia. This is reportedly to avoid further escalation.
Miller stated, “Ukraine does not need our permission to strike back against Russian targets. They are a sovereign country and can use the weapons that they have built on their own, of which there are many, if you look at the programs they have implemented over the last year.” He also mentioned the recent announcement by President Biden of an additional $8 billion in security assistance for Ukraine, highlighting the ongoing support from the US.
When asked about allowing Ukraine to use US-provided weapons for strikes into Russia, Miller reiterated the department’s unchanged restrictions. He explained, “We consider all of the capabilities and tactics that we provide to Ukraine as a whole, and evaluate how any new weapon system or tactic will affect the entire battlefield and Ukraine’s overall strategy.” The spokesperson cautioned against viewing any single weapon or tactic as a “magic solution” to the conflict, emphasizing the importance of considering the overall impact on the battlefield and Ukraine’s strategy.
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