Ukraine is urging its allies to lift restrictions on the use of Western-provided weapons against military targets inside Russia following a new Russian offensive in Kharkiv Oblast. The West had previously provided weapons with restrictions on their use outside Ukraine’s borders. Ukraine has used UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles and US-provided ATACMS missiles to target Russian military sites in occupied areas but has refrained from striking targets inside Russia directly.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has pointed out that having the ability to strike Russian military targets before they cross the border could have thwarted the recent offensive. There is growing pressure on NATO allies to lift these restrictions to aid Ukraine in defending itself against Russian attacks. However, some European countries support Ukraine’s right to defense beyond its borders, while others oppose using Western weapons for strikes inside Russia. The US and Germany, top providers of military aid to Ukraine, currently do not support allowing Ukraine to strike Russian territory.
The situation remains tense as Ukraine grapples with ongoing Russian aggression while seeking permission to use Western weapons effectively.