Today at 16:51
White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby stated during a briefing that the notion that Ukraine could strike most of the military aircraft used by Russia to carry out attacks on Ukrainian territory with ATACMS is incorrect. According to him, 90% of Russian airbases are located more than 300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
“Our policy regarding strikes deep into Russia and on Russian territory hasn’t changed. I also think it’s important to note that 90% of the aircraft Russia uses for guided bombs and long-range missile strikes — we calculated this — 90% of them are located beyond 300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, deep inside Russia”, – Kirby said.
So, the claim that we can just give them (the Ukrainians) ATACMS and say, ‘Alright!’ and they will be able to strike most of the Russian aircraft on airbases from which strikes on Ukraine are launched — is false. That’s a mistaken argument.”
At the same time, Kirby emphasized that the U.S. continues to work on strengthening Ukraine’s air defense:
“What Putin is doing — he is targeting civilian infrastructure, trying, especially with winter approaching, to disable energy networks. It’s despicable. Unfortunately, this is his method. It’s not something new that he hasn’t done before.
Nothing has changed in our stance that Ukraine should be able to use the available tools to defend itself. And that’s why air defense remains a key focus in these security packages we provide, to help them defend against these attacks on their energy infrastructure.”
Read also: Lifting of restrictions on long-range capabilities getting nearer – Kuleba
