Ukrainian officials have asked Washington to allow them to use US long-range ATACMS missiles to strike airfields used by Russia. The Washington Post reports this with reference to an adviser to Zelensky, who spoke on condition of anonymity, UNN reports.
Details
It is noted that the US permission to use ATACMS for strikes on Russian airfields will allow Kyiv to hold part of Kursk for a certain period of time.
"This will give them the leverage they need to negotiate with Russia - that's the point," Zelenskyy's adviser said.
Also, according to the adviser, Ukraine has deployed a large number of soldiers who have seized approximately 100 square kilometers of Russian territory. He pointed out that in three days, Ukrainian troops passed through towns with thousands of people, took hundreds of prisoners, and seized a gas metering station that Russia uses for energy operations with Hungary and Slovakia.
According to the adviser, the station is unlikely to be used as a lever of pressure because, since the pipeline still passes through Ukraine, Kyiv could cut off the flow at any time.
Recall
In July, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Smith said that the United States was in discussions with Ukraine to authorize the use of US long-range weapons to strike territory deep inside Russia. However, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan later noted that the United States did not change the conditions for Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles - the ban on strikes on territory deep into Russia is still in effect.