Despite earlier claims that U.S. President Donald J. Trump had pushed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to strike targets inside Russia, the Wall Street Journal now reports that the Pentagon has for months been restricting Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles for such attacks, effectively preventing Kyiv from deploying one of its most powerful weapons against Moscow.

According to the report, Elbridge Colby, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, created a previously undisclosed “review mechanism” to oversee Ukraine’s requests to fire long-range rockets and missiles supplied by the United States, as well as those provided by European allies that rely on U.S. intelligence and components. This includes the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), with a range of nearly 190 miles. Under the system, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth holds final authority over whether Kyiv can employ the ATACMS to strike inside Russia.

On Thursday, President Trump posted on Truth Social that Ukraine cannot defeat Russia without being able to “play offense” in the war, writing:

“It is very hard, if not impossible, to win a war without attacking an invader’s country. It’s like a great team in sports that has a fantastic defense, but is not allowed to play offense. There is no chance of winning! It is like that with Ukraine and Russia. Crooked and grossly incompetent Joe Biden would not let Ukraine FIGHT BACK, only DEFEND defend — Interesting times ahead!!!”