US limits Ukrainian strikes to 62 miles from Russian border

Americans have allowed Ukraine to strike targets on Russian territory up to 62 miles from the border using American weapons. This has helped limit Kremlin attacks on Ukraine, but Kyiv is still unable to strike key Russian airfields, revealed the "Washington Post," citing Ukrainian sources.

The United States has imposed restrictions on Kyiv regarding strike conduct. According to these restrictions, Ukraine can only conduct military operations within 62 miles of the Ukrainian-Russian border. Although American officials have not officially confirmed this allowed distance, they emphasized that Ukraine's information on such restrictions is incorrect, reports the Washington Post.

Moreover, Ukraine has been permitted to use air defense systems supplied by the United States to attack Russian aircraft, but only when they are planning to strike Ukrainian airspace, noted Pentagon spokesman Maj. Charlie Dietz.

However, as the newspaper highlights, the Ukrainian army is not convinced that they have as much operational freedom as suggested by the statements of White House and Pentagon officials.

In June, the American think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noticed that the US policy limiting Ukraine's ability to use American weapons to strike targets in Russia "has effectively created a vast sanctuary in which Russia has been able to amass its ground invasion force."

For over two years, President Joe Biden's administration did not allow Kyiv to use weapons supplied by the USA to attack targets in Russia. Citing fears of a direct conflict between Washington and Moscow, the White House changed its position last month after Russia intensified its attacks on the Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine.

However, as one of ISW's analyses assessed, "Biden Administration’s partial removal of Russian sanctuary is a step in the right direction but is by itself inadequate and unable to disrupt Russian operations at scale." This analysis was published after Washington's position was modified.

President Biden refused to grant Kyiv permission to use long-range American weapons despite this.