Kyiv asked the U.S. for Atacms strikes on Russian airbases, but targets changed – Reuters.

Ukraine handed over to the U.S. and the U.K. a list of military targets in Russia that would be struck by Western missiles. According to sources, Ukraine initially planned to use U.S. ballistic missiles Atacms for strikes on Russian airbases. However, the Pentagon stated that most Russian planes launching guided bombs are located at a sufficient distance from the territories controlled by Ukraine, so the use of Atacms was excluded. Now Ukraine plans to strike at military command and control centers, weapon and fuel depots, as well as Russian military concentrations.

Ukraine intends to use Storm Shadow missiles provided by the U.K., and nearly identical French SCALP missiles. However, the U.K. is waiting for U.S. approval to use Storm Shadow, while France believes it does not need such approval for the Ukrainian use of French missiles. The coordinator of strategic communications at the U.S. National Security Council confirmed that the U.S. does not plan to change its position on the use of long-range weapons by Ukraine against Russia.

Lloyd Austin, the head of the Pentagon, explained why the U.S. does not give approval for deep strikes on Russia. He noted that no weapon by itself can determine the course of the war and it is better to focus on helping Ukraine defend its territory. In addition, the U.S. may allow Ukraine to use British and French long-range missiles against Russia, but this approval does not extend to U.S. weapons. It is known that the Kremlin may increase hybrid attacks on NATO countries in response to this approval.