U.S. Lifting Restrictions Ignites the Ukrainian Front .. Kyiv Strikes and Trump Responds
In a notable development in the course of the Ukrainian war, U.S. officials revealed yesterday, Wednesday, October 22, 2025, that President Donald Trump's administration has lifted a key restriction that limited Ukraine's use of certain long-range missiles obtained from its Western allies, granting Kyiv greater freedom to strike deep within Russian territory.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. move comes as part of transferring the authority to support Ukrainian operations from U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to the Supreme Commander of U.S. Forces in Europe, General Alexus Grinkewich, who also leads NATO forces, indicating Washington's openness to escalating military support for Kyiv.
According to the Ukrainian General Staff, Ukrainian forces used the British-made cruise missile "Storm Shadow" on Tuesday to strike a Russian factory in Bryansk that produces explosives and rocket fuel, confirming that the strike was "successful" and managed to penetrate Russian air defenses.
* Trump Denies and Calls Reports "Fake"
However, hours after the report was published, President Trump denied granting Ukraine any permission to use long-range missiles, describing what the newspaper published as "fake and inaccurate," emphasizing that the United States has no connection to the use of those missiles or their source.
The denial came as expectations grow that Kyiv will continue to escalate its cross-border attacks using "Storm Shadow" missiles, which can be launched from Ukrainian aircraft and have a range of over 180 miles (about 290 kilometers).
Despite this, Washington still has the ability to restrict their use as it relies on accurate U.S. targeting data.
* Background of the Decision and Its Implications
Trump had attempted in early October to pressure Moscow to start peace talks, at that time suggesting the idea of sending U.S. "Tomahawk" missiles to Ukraine, which have a range exceeding 1600 kilometers, before later retracting the proposal.
Analysts believe that lifting the restrictions on the use of "Storm Shadow" represents a gradual shift in Washington's stance, as it grants Kyiv greater capacity to expand its operations, which could lead to a new escalation and complicate the chances for a diplomatic solution.
A White House official stated in an official statement:
"This war would not have happened if President Trump had been in office from the beginning, something that President Putin himself acknowledged. President Trump is now seeking to end it, and he has already negotiated a historic agreement allowing NATO allies to purchase U.S.-made weapons."
And although the "Storm Shadow" missiles do not equate to a radical change on the battlefield compared to the "Tomahawk," they provide Ukraine with an important tactical advantage for precise strikes deep into Russian territory, increasing pressure on the Kremlin at a time when international efforts to de-escalate and revive the diplomatic track continue.
