President Joe Biden’s recent decision to allow Ukraine to utilize American-supplied weapons to strike Russian targets has been hailed by President Volodymyr Zelensky’s press secretary, Serhii Nykyforov, as a significant bolstering of Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
According to Nykyforov, Ukraine has received positive signals regarding the limited use of US-supplied weapons near Kharkiv, which will enhance their ability to counter Russian aggression along the border.
This decision permits Ukraine to employ US-supplied HIMARS and ATACMS missiles to target Russian soldiers and command centers, as reported by The Guardian. Germany has also agreed to allow Ukraine to utilize weapons it has provided against Russian targets, emphasizing Ukraine’s right to self-defense under international law.
The Biden administration’s covert approval of certain Ukrainian strikes within Russia, formulated after Zelensky’s appeal, targets Russian military forces specifically near Kharkiv. These adjustments align with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s hint at policy changes to adapt to battlefield dynamics, enabling Ukraine to use US weapons for counter-fire purposes within specified parameters.
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EXPLAINED: Which Countries Allow Ukraine to Use Their Weapons on Russian Soil?
Several countries have now stated that they do not oppose the use of their weapons to strike military targets on Russian territory, emphasizing Ukraine’s right to self-defense.
With these developments, Ukraine can mitigate Russian aggression in the region effectively while adhering to the prescribed limitations on weapon use as part of this nuanced and evolving strategy.