In a notable shift in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Ukraine has been authorized by Western countries to use their weapons to target Russian military facilities, a move seen as essential to weakening Russia’s military capabilities near the border areas. This development follows Ukraine’s recent use of a US-made High Mobility Rocket Artillery System (HIMARS) to strike a Russian air defense system in the Belgorod region. The strategic decision to allow strikes on Russian soil is expected to impact Moscow’s tactical aviation and ability to operate in border areas such as Kharkiv and is seen as a response to the massive bombardments targeting Ukrainian cities as well as Russia’s continued attacks on Ukrainian regions like Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk. The Ukrainian military has also been conducting command-staff exercises in Kiev to prepare for defensive operations and has reported significant Russian casualties. France is considering sending military instructors to Ukraine, a move that has prompted Russia to threaten retaliation against any foreign military personnel on Ukrainian territory. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has emphasized the importance of constructing fortifications and developing drone technology to bolster the country’s defenses. As the conflict intensifies, the use of Western weapons by Ukraine on Russian soil raises questions about the boundaries of engagement and the potential for further escalation, including Russia’s response to what it perceives as crossing its ‘red lines’.
Key points
- Ukraine uses Western weapons to strike Russian territory, aiming to weaken Russian military near the border.
- France considers sending military instructors to Ukraine, Russia threatens retaliation.
- Ukraine conducts military exercises in Kiev amid conflict escalation.
- Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure continue, with injuries and damage reported.
- Ukrainian President Zelenskiy discusses fortifications and drone technology development.
