The quiet policy shift allows Ukraine to target Russian sites using Western missiles that rely on American targeting data. The move follows the transfer of strike-approval authority from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to US European Command chief Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, who also serves as NATO’s top commander.
US officials now expect Ukraine to conduct more cross-border operations using Storm Shadows, which can reach targets more than 180 miles away.
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While the move doesn’t dramatically change the battlefield, it restores the flexibility Kyiv lost when the Pentagon last year imposed a review system for strikes on Russian territory. That restriction effectively paused attacks using any Western-supplied missiles linked to US targeting systems.
Glad Hegseth has a little less on his plate, it must be hard making quick military decisions with huge consequences when you are drunk all the time.
Senator Reed was made aware that this individual was interviewed by the FBI in December 2024 as part of the background investigation on Mr. Hegseth, but details of this testimony did not appear to have been included in the final background check briefing provided by the Trump Transition Team in January. Accordingly, Senator Reed directly requested this individual recount the testimony that she had provided to the FBI.
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“As I have said for months, the reports of Mr. Hegseth’s history of alleged sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and public misconduct necessitate an exhaustive background investigation. I have been concerned that the background check process has been inadequate, and this affidavit confirms that fact.
https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/reed-statement-on-abuse-allegations-against-pete-hegseth
If I was Ukrainian, I would be damn happy Kegseth isn’t involved in the direct strike approval process now, the guy is a complete loser hack with no ability to do anything but bloviate on camera about wokeness or whatever nonsense the conservative bandwagon is obsessed with lately. He is a fundamentally weak and unserious character and was likely endangering Ukraine even in the rare instances he might have been genuinely trying to help.
Edit See article on Trump fumbling around on this
Because Biden was an empty neoliberal also-ran Obama picked as his Safe Milquetoast White Guy to “balance” the fact that Obama was black, Biden never had the guts to lead he just mindlessly split the middle on issues his whole career.
Also Fuck Trump too just to be crystal clear.
While this is probably true, Obama was also weak at supporting Ukraine when Russia invaded in 2014
Yes yes, all true. You guys are missing the HUGE picture move here. Pete fucked up HARD. The entire military is undermining the DoW in subtle ways that are exactly the type of coup we need to halt this freefall. The generals are not with the Fuher. They never will be and know exactly what it means to show division now more than ever. They are standing a wall of every flag and brass officer in the US Armed Forces, and daring this administration to fucking blink.
Edit: To clarify, this is proving that the military is truly agnostic to civil politics, and means that ultimately, if things continue, they’re on our side, not theirs.
To add a bit of context, I listened to a talk about a year ago by retired Admiral James Stavridis (sp?) who served for a time as NATO supreme commander. He pointed out that when you get to a rank like his you will not only have sworn an oath to support and defend the Constitution multiple times but you will also have administered it to hundreds of other soldiers & sailors. They take it VERY seriously.
How did you get all that from this?