Ukraine now has its own weapons to strike deep into Russia without US approval, Zelenskyy says

""As of today, we are using our domestically produced long-range weapons. And to be honest, we haven't been discussing such matters with the US lately," Zelenskyy said at a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. "There was a time when there were different signals regarding our retaliatory strikes after their attacks on our energy system," Zelenskyy said, referring to Russia's strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure."

"The ATACMS in particular requires US-provided satellite data and targeting for successful precision strikes, affording the Pentagon greater authority over what the weapons can be used for. NATO countries, fearing escalation with Moscow, withheld permission for Kyiv to launch attacks into Russia for months, limiting strikes to targets in Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian officials repeatedly voiced frustration at the restriction, saying they were kneecapped and unable to strike the Kremlin's forces massing on the border."

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is now using domestically produced long-range weapons and no longer discusses deep strikes with the US. Kyiv's new capability allows strikes deep into Russia without needing coordination or approval from Washington. For much of the war Ukraine relied on Western long-range systems like the US-made ATACMS, which required US-provided satellite data and targeting and gave the Pentagon control over their use. NATO countries previously withheld permission for attacks on Russian soil, limiting strikes to Ukrainian territory and frustrating Ukrainian officials. A recent report additionally said the Pentagon blocked ATACMS strikes against Russia.

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