White House special envoy Keith Kellogg announced on Fox News Sunday that President Trump has authorized Ukraine to conduct long-range drone and missile strikes within Russian territory on a case-by-case basis. This marks a significant departure from the Pentagon’s prior policy of blocking such operations.
“I think reading what he has said, and reading what Vice President Vance has said as well as Secretary Rubio, the answer is yes – use the ability to hit deep,” Kellogg told Fox News Sunday. His most significant statement followed: “There are no such things as sanctuaries”.
The recent authorization marks a significant change in the Defense Department’s approach regarding Ukrainian military actions. As reported by the Wall Street Journal in August, Pentagon officials had previously refrained from granting approval for Ukraine to conduct strikes on Russian territory.
This policy was part of a larger diplomatic strategy aimed at motivating Moscow to engage in peace negotiations. Consequently, the high-level approval process effectively established protected areas within Russia, limiting Ukraine’s ability to use American-supplied weapons in those regions.
Pentagon’s Blocking Policy Officially Reversed
Ukraine has faced documented restrictions on its long-range military operations since late spring 2025. According to Wall Street Journal reporting, the Pentagon implemented a case-by-case approval process that has effectively blocked Ukraine from using U.S.-made ATACMS missiles against targets in Russia. Separately, in February 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth briefly ordered U.S. Cyber Command to pause offensive cyber operations against Russia for one day during diplomatic negotiations, according to House Armed Services Committee Chair Don Bacon.
Recent developments indicate a shift in the discussion surrounding military support for Ukraine, particularly regarding the potential provision of Tomahawk cruise missiles, which boast a range of over 1,500 miles. Vice President JD Vance confirmed during an appearance on Fox News that the administration is currently assessing Ukraine’s request for these advanced weapon systems.
Case-by-Case Authorization Framework
Trump’s authorization remains under strict presidential oversight, requiring individual approval for each proposed strike rather than allowing Ukrainian forces to target Russian territory freely.
“The president will make those decisions on a case-by-case basis,” Kellogg emphasized during his Fox News appearance. This framework enables the administration to maintain strategic control while providing Ukraine with expanded operational capabilities.
The announcement’s timing aligns with President Trump’s broader strategic shift regarding Ukraine policy. Earlier in September, he stated that Ukraine “can win back its original borders,” indicating a notable change from his previous positions on the conflict.
Russian officials have responded to Ukraine’s request for Tomahawk missiles, with the Kremlin stating it is “monitoring” the situation and questioning the U.S. about potential targeting data for the weapons.
The authorization marks a significant shift in the operational landscape, as it concludes what military analysts referred to as Russia’s “sanctuary” status in specific regions. This development is likely to broaden the geographical range of the conflict and provide Ukrainian forces with enhanced strategic flexibility in their defensive maneuvers against Russian aggression.