Hundreds of Russian Military Targets Remain Within Range of ATACMS, Reports ISW

According to Institute of War (ISW) estimates, while Russian forces have moved aircraft beyond the range of Western Storm Shadow and ATACMS missiles, a significant number of Russian military targets remain within the reach of Western weapons that Ukraine possesses.

Military analysts report that these strike limitations allow Russian forces to use shelters deep within Russia to support military operations against Ukraine.

“A source in the UK government reportedly stated that Russia is aware that Ukraine is asking for permission to strike military targets in Russia, so Russia has moved its "most critical assets" out of range of long-range missile systems,” ISW writes.

Analysts note that numerous reports from Western media indicate that the US government is prohibiting the UK from allowing Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles to strike military targets in Russia.

“The Financial Times reported on August 27 that a source familiar with the matter stated that Ukraine's use of British and French Storm Shadows may require access to American intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in areas where Russian forces are jamming the GPS signals that the missiles use for targeting,” according to ISW.

The Institute has created an interactive map of known military sites to illustrate how US restrictions on the use of ATACMS limit Ukraine's ability to strike important military infrastructure in Russia.

ISW emphasized that relocating Russian aircraft from 16 Russian airbases within ATACMS range does not diminish the importance of allowing Ukraine to use ATACMS against hundreds of other Russian military targets.

On August 27, Politico reported citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter that Ukraine has prepared a list of potential targets in Russia for possible strikes with American long-range weapons, which will be presented to President Joe Biden’s administration.