2024-07-05 08:45:57
The Biden administration has changed its policy to allow Ukrainian forces to use American weapons to strike deep into Russian territory. The decision, announced in late May, was a significant relaxation of long-standing restrictions imposed over fears of a wider war. Analysts have outlined how it will impact the battlefield.
“Defense News” writes about this.
The new policy allows Ukraine to carry out limited strikes within a single area of northeastern Ukraine, easing a long-standing ban on using Western-supplied weapons to attack outside its own territory. The decision comes after Russian forces intensified their offensive near Kharkiv, threatening civilians and critical infrastructure.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, said at a press conference in Singapore that while the new policy is a positive step, it is not enough to fully deter Russian aggression. Zelensky stressed that Ukraine needs greater access to weapons, including long-range missiles, to defend itself.
American and European analysts note that permission for cross-border strikes on Russian territory could significantly change the strategic situation in the region. In their opinion, this creates new challenges for Russia, which must now take into account the possibility of retaliatory strikes on its military facilities.
However, some experts express skepticism about the long-term impact of the policy, arguing that the real strategic advantage may be limited without expanding Ukraine’s authority to use more powerful weapons.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated that the United States will continue to support Ukraine in its right to self-defense and will work with international partners to increase pressure on Russia to restore peace and stability in the region.
Earlier, “Kursor” wrote that the Russian Federation launched a missile strike on the Dnieper, which resulted in the death of a child.