In a decision that may alter the landscape of the ongoing conflict, the US has authorized Ukraine to use American weapons for counter-battery operations against Russian military targets near the Járkiv region. This authorization, however, comes with restrictions, specifically prohibiting the use of long-range missiles like ATACMS, which can reach targets up to 300 kilometers away. The US State Department has emphasized that the policy on prohibiting Ukraine from using air defense systems and long-range missiles against Russian territory remains unchanged, except for the newly authorized operations. This nuanced stance aims to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities without escalating to the use of long-range weaponry and has incited a mixture of reactions among NATO allies with some expressing concerns over the potential consequences and others, like Hungary, showing reluctance to participate in the escalating conflict. The Kremlin has criticized the move as a direct involvement by Washington in the Ukraine conflict, with Russian officials warning of serious consequences if Ukraine uses US weapons to attack Russian territory. Amidst these developments, Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, have been actively engaging with US counterparts. Kuleba recently discussed with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken the acceleration of additional Patriot system deliveries, while Zelensky plans to seek further support from US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The upcoming peace summit in Switzerland and the NATO summit in Washington are expected to be pivotal in shaping the subsequent phases of Ukraine’s defense strategy. As the conflict continues, Ukraine has expressed disappointment with the partial lifting of the US ban, citing limitations in the use of American weapons due to geographical constraints. The Pentagon has confirmed that the Ukrainian military is allowed to strike Russian territory with US weapons during counter-battery warfare, and more countries may allow their military to attack Russian territory.
Key points
- The US has authorized Ukraine to use American weapons against Russian military targets in the Járkiv region, but not long-range missiles.
- Ukrainian officials are engaging with US counterparts to expedite additional defense support, including Patriot systems.
- NATO allies have mixed reactions to the US decision, with some concerned about escalation and others reluctant to participate.
Contradictions👾While the US has authorized Ukraine to use American weapons for counter-battery operations, there is skepticism about the impact of this policy change as Russia has adapted to the introduction of ground-based precision fires.
