Official statements from the US government or Ukrainian government, major news outlets

Ukraine Seeks US Approval for Strikes in Russia Using Long-Range Missiles; Lavrov Calls It 'Blackmail'

Aug 27, 2024, 09:58 AM

Ukraine is seeking permission from Western allies, including the United States, to use long-range missiles such as the American ATACMS, British Storm Shadow, and French Scalp to strike targets deep inside Russian territory. Senior officials in Kyiv have shared a list of potential targets with the Biden administration, which includes airfields, ammunition depots, fuel storage facilities, and command and control centers. The move is seen as a strategic effort to demonstrate military capability and pressure the Kremlin. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has condemned Ukraine's request as 'blackmail.' Ukraine's request aims to lift current restrictions on the use of these weapons, highlighting the ongoing tensions and strategic calculations in the region.