The article, titled “US Preparing to Lift Ban on Strikes Deep Inside Russia,” published on a Russian TV platform, suggests that the United States is preparing to remove restrictions on Ukraine’s use of US-supplied long-range weapons to strike deep inside Russian territory. The primary source of this claim is a statement by Moscow’s ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, who casts doubt on Washington’s commitment to its restrictions and speculates on future changes in US policy.
Claim Analysis:
- Ambassador Antonov’s Statements:
- Antonov’s remarks suggest skepticism about the US’s current stance and imply that the US might eventually allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory using American-made long-range weapons.
- He argues that the US is laying the groundwork for removing existing restrictions on such strikes.
- The Pentagon’s Official Stance:
- The article acknowledges that the Pentagon has stated its position remains unchanged, with a continued ban on Ukraine using US-supplied ATACMS missiles for attacks deep inside Russia.
- There is no new or verified information that contradicts the Pentagon’s official position.
- Speculative Nature of the Claim:
- The article is speculative, relying on the ambassador’s opinions rather than concrete evidence or verified changes in US policy. The ambassador’s statements reflect concerns rather than confirmed actions.
- The claim of the US “preparing to lift the ban” is not supported by any new, verifiable data or official US statements. It is rooted in interpretation and suspicion rather than factual developments.
- Inaccuracies and Misleading Elements:
- The article suggests that the US is close to removing the ban based on the ambassador’s speculations, which could mislead readers into believing this is a factual and imminent policy change.
- The repeated use of terms like “seem” and “almost certain” further illustrates the speculative nature of the claim, lacking concrete evidence.
- The article fails to provide balanced perspectives, such as quoting US officials or presenting counter-arguments, which could mislead readers into thinking the ambassador’s view is universally accepted or validated.
The claim that the US is preparing to lift its ban on strikes deep inside Russia is speculative and lacks substantiation. The article is based on the personal interpretations and concerns of a Russian diplomat, rather than any verifiable changes in US policy or new evidence. The Pentagon’s official stance remains unchanged, and no credible sources have confirmed the claim.