A number of Ukrainian media outlets, including Telegram channels, have actively spread the news that the ban on striking deep into Russia with Western weapons has been lifted. The source of this information is a broadcast on "Espresso," where the topic of attacks on the occupiers was indeed raised.
Indeed, inhumane restrictions on the use of Western long-range weaponry for Ukraine were lifted. This was done back in November 2024.
Since that time, Ukraine has been able to use ATACMS as well as Storm Shadow / SCALP for strikes on Russian territory. And despite reports of additional restrictions, such as only targeting the Kursk region, practice has shown that this is not the case.
For instance, there is credible confirmation of the use of Western ballistic and cruise missiles to strike the "Kamen" plant in the city of Kamensk-Shakhtinsky in the Rostov region, which is over 500 km from the conditional border of Sudzha, on December 18. Thus, there are evidently no geographical restrictions on these strikes.
Another issue is the limitation on the number of assets available to Ukraine, meaning how many missiles have been provided by partners. Additionally, there is a limitation on the range of these missiles.
Specifically, for ATACMS, the range is up to 300 km, while for Storm Shadow / SCALP it is up to 500 km, but the route for cruise missiles is plotted not in a straight line but through a complex non-linear path to bypass air defense positions. This is why the lack of truly long-range strike capabilities, as discussions about Tomahawk for Ukraine can currently only be hypothetical, is also a factor.
On the other hand, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have already turned strikes on Russia with long-range drones into a regular occurrence. Almost every morning starts with news of another successful strike and a burning target. And the targets are not only oil refineries but also facilities such as the main arsenals of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Moreover, it is evident that new-level assets are on the way, including their own albeit miniature cruise missiles, which have apparently been given the name missile-drones for certain reasons.