US Lifts Restriction Allowing Ukraine Long-Range Western Missiles Strikes Inside Russia

The Trump administration has quietly lifted a key restriction allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied long-range missiles, specifically British Storm Shadow cruise missiles, to strike targets inside Russian territory. This policy shift, transferring approval authority from the U.S. Secretary of Defense to the Commander of U.S. Forces Europe, enables Ukraine to expand its operational reach and increase pressure on the Kremlin by targeting military facilities deeper inside Russia, such as a recent successful strike on a Russian explosives and rocket fuel plant in Bryansk. Although the Storm Shadow missiles have a shorter range than U.S. Tomahawk missiles, their use marks a significant escalation in Western support for Ukraine's war effort, with U.S. targeting data providing Washington leverage over their deployment. While the U.S. has not confirmed plans to supply Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles, Ukrainian officials have highlighted the strategic impact and psychological pressure caused by the potential introduction of such advanced weaponry. This move reflects President Trump's broader approach to accelerating support for Ukraine against Russian advances while seeking to pressure Russia toward peace negotiations. NATO officials have acknowledged Ukraine's growing capability to conduct deep strikes independently, underscoring the evolving military dynamics in the conflict.