New balances on his front is being revealed by the Wall Street Journal revelation that the Pentagon discreetly limits the use of Kiev US ATACMS missiles against targets on the goals, imposing a procedure for approval by the leadership of the Ministry of Defense. At the same time, on the day of the Day of Independence, Ukraine launched massive drones on Russian territory, causing fires at a nuclear station in Kursk and an oil terminal near St. Petersburg, which is linked to the rise in fuel prices.
The Pentagon has been discreetly reduced in recent months by the use of the Armed Forces of the Ukrainian Medium -range rockets launched by the US -made ATACMS system to hit targets on Russia’s territory, the Wall Street Journal said on Saturday.
According to newspaper sources, the Spring requires the approval of high -ranking US defense officials for the use of systems.
Elbridge Colby, US Deputy Minister of Defense on Policy, developed the “review” mechanism that decides on Kiev’s demands to use large -scale US weapons, as well as those provided by European allies and are based on US technicians.
This process gives the Minister of Defense, Pitt Hegshe, the final reason for whether Ukraine can use Atacms, who have a range of nearly 190 miles, to hit Russia.
“President Trump has made it clear that the war in Ukraine must be over. There has been no change in the military stance on the Russian -Ukraine front right now, “White House spokesman Carolin Levit said, adding:” Minister Hegschez is working in full coordination with President Trump. “
The Pentagon and Ukrainian officials did not respond to WSJ comment requests.
Ukrainian attacks on the day of independence
At the same time, Ukraine launched a series of drones attacks on Russian territory today, the day it celebrates its independence, causing fires at a nuclear power station in Kursk and a oil station in the port of Ust-Luga.
One of these drones, shortly after midnight by Russia’s anti -aircraft defense, “exploded and caused damage to the auxiliary transformer” nuclear power plant in the Kursk Region, the managing company said in the telegram account.
“The fire was extinguished,” he added, saying that there were no casualties, although the productive capacity of one of the reactors has been reduced.
“The level of radioactivity in the industrial area of the Kursk Nuclear Station and the surrounding area has not changed,” the same source said, explaining that it remains “at normal levels”.
Since the beginning of the war between Russia and Ukraine, the International Atomic Energy Organization (IEA-IAEA) has warned of the possibility of nuclear disaster in southern Ukraine, which has been in control of Russian troops since March 2022.
On the Baltic coasts, Russian anti-aircraft defense intercepted 10 drones at the port of Ust-Luga, near St. Petersburg, while a fire broke out at a Russian company Novatek’s oil station, according to Regional Governor Alexander.
“Firefighters and the Ministry of Emergency Response are working to extinguish it,” he added to Telegram.
Rise to fuel prices in Russia
In recent weeks, and as the talks on ending the war intensify, Ukraine has launched dozens of drones against Russian territory. It mainly targets oil tanks in an effort to limit Moscow exports that greatly fund its military operations.
These attacks appear to be responsible for rising fuel prices in Russia, which has reached record level despite the ban on gasoline exports announced by the government.
The Russian Ministry of Energy attributes high prices “to seasonal rise in demand and agricultural work”, without referring to Ukrainian attacks.
On Friday, Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban said he sought Trump’s help in dealing with his country the difficulties of refueling Russian oil through the Druzba pipeline, which has bombed Kiev, as he complains.
Russian anti -aircraft defense units destroyed a total of 95 Ukrainian drones over 13 regions overnight, the defense ministry said.
For its part, the Russian Civil Protection Office Rosaviatsia announced that flights have been suspended for hours at various airports in the country.
Ukrainian drones also targeted an industrial operation in the city of Shizran, southern Russia, as the Governor of the Region Samara Viacev Fedorischev said, although he added that there were no injuries.
Ukraine’s new attacks, a former Soviet Republic, were launched as the country is celebrating 34 years of its independence.
“The Ukrainian people will never surrender and will never deny their independence,” Ukrainian army chief Olxandr Sirski said this morning on the occasion of this anniversary.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Antriy Sibicha described the country’s independence as “a cornerstone of Europe’s security”.
