For several months, the Pentagon has been blocking Ukraine from using long-range missiles to strike targets inside Russia, thereby limiting Kyiv’s ability to employ powerful weapons in its fight against Moscow’s invasion.

Axar.az reports, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing U.S. officials, a high-level approval procedure within the U.S. Department of Defense — not yet publicly disclosed — has prevented Ukraine since late spring from using U.S.-made long-range tactical missile systems (ATACMS) against targets in Russian territory.

It is noted that Ukraine has attempted at least once to use ATACMS missiles against a target in Russia but was denied.

The report says the Pentagon refused authorization for such strikes because the White House was trying to persuade Moscow to begin peace talks.

Importantly, approval for such strikes rests solely with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This applies not only to ATACMS missiles but also to the British-French–made Storm Shadow cruise missiles that rely on U.S. targeting intelligence.