The U.S. ATACMS tactical missile system has a range of approximately 200 miles. The United Kingdom’s Storm Shadow and French Scalp cruise missiles have a range of approximately 155 miles. Allowing Ukraine to use these weapons inside Russia would not substantially alter the balance of power in the war.

Moscow is 275 miles from Ukraine, for example. But such an allowance would enable Ukraine to complicate Russian logistics trains supporting the conflict, force greater friction upon Russian command and control, and strike hardened targets of opportunity. Put simply, it would allow Ukraine to better defend itself.