US does not allow ATACMS to strike Kursk Oblast, but not because of 'escalation'. What is the reason?

The United States maintains such a position not because of the risk of escalation, but because it does not have sufficient stockpiles of ATACMS missiles for delivery to Ukraine. Therefore, Washington believes that it is better to use them to continue attacks on the temporarily occupied Crimea.

Some officials have also expressed concern that Ukraine has sent some of its most experienced troops to Kursk Oblast.

"It’s impressive from a military point of view. But Ukraine is committing pretty experienced troops to this and they can’t afford to lose those troops... And having diverted them from the front line creates opportunities for Russia to seize advantage and break through," said an unnamed American official.

Attacks on Russian territory with Western weapons

At the end of May, Politico wrote that US President Joe Biden secretly authorized Ukraine to strike Russia with weapons that were transferred by Washington.

Subsequently, the press service of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the granting of this permission. But certain restrictions still remain: it was reported that strikes with American weapons can be carried out only in the areas bordering Kharkiv Oblast.

Later, the US National Security Council explained that the permission to use American weapons on Russian soil is not limited only to the protection of Kharkiv Oblast. According to National Security Council representative Michael Carpenter, the authorization concerns the border area from where Russia is preparing its attacks on Ukraine. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that the United States will continue to "adapt and adjust" if necessary.

In addition to the United States, Ukraine has already received permission to use the transferred weapons at its own discretion from a number of partners, although not from all of them.