Report: Pentagon Blocking Ukraine From Using US Missiles On Russian Territory

The Pentagon has for several months barred Ukraine from employing US-made long-range missiles to strike inside Russia, American officials told the Wall Street Journal Sunday.

Since late spring, the Defense Department has used an internal approval process to block Kyiv from deploying Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) for operations beyond its borders, the officials said. The restriction has coincided with President Donald Trump’s efforts to improve relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Journal reported that the approval mechanism requires final authorization from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth before Ukraine can use the weapons system.

“President Trump has been very clear that the war in Ukraine needs to end. There has been no change in military posture in Russia-Ukraine at this time,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told the outlet in a statement. “Secretary Hegseth is working in lockstep with President Trump.”