Ukraine (Washington Insider Magazine)— The United States has permitted Ukraine to use American-supplied weapons for strikes within Russian territory, marking a major policy shift in the continuous conflict. This decision comes after nearly 27 months of incremental support from Western allies since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where each new request from Kyiv faced extensive deliberation and eventual approval.
Gradual Erosion of Restrictions
Following Russia’s initial invasion, Ukraine’s appeals for military aid have steadily increased, from ammunition and tanks to cluster munitions and fighter jets. Each request was met with hesitation from Western countries, wary of provoking a heightened response from Russia. Despite these concerns, the restrictions were consistently lifted over time, and fears of severe repercussions did not materialize.
Recent Policy Shift
According to CNN, as Russia intensified its attacks on the northeastern Kharkiv region last month, the US had initially restricted Ukraine from using American weapons for cross-border strikes. However, this stance changed recently when President Joe Biden authorized limited strikes using US-supplied weapons in Russian territory near Kharkiv. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed this decision during a visit to Prague, stating it was a response to Ukrainian requests to defend against Russian aggression near the border.
Strategic Implications
While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the decision as a step forward, analysts remain skeptical about its impact on the larger conflict. The US continues to restrict the use of its most advanced long-range missiles, the ATACMS, which can reach targets nearly 200 miles away. Instead, Ukraine is limited to using shorter-range GMLRS missiles with a range of about 40 miles.
Kateryna Stepanenko from the Institute for the Study of War noted that while the policy change might blunt Russia’s offensive, it doesn’t significantly alter the strategic landscape. Similarly, Franz-Stefan Gady of the International Institute for Strategic Studies stressed that the cross-border strikes would complicate, but not halt, Russian operations.
Broader Western Consensus
The US joins other Western nations, including the UK, France, and Germany, in lifting restrictions on how Ukraine can utilize provided weaponry. This collective shift comes despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s previous warnings of serious consequences for nations allowing Ukrainian strikes within Russia.
Putin’s threats, including veiled nuclear warnings, aimed to deter Western support for Ukrainian preemptive strikes. However, Western countries have largely disregarded these threats, continuing to support Ukraine’s defense efforts.
Previous Instances and Future Prospects
Ukraine has previously targeted Russian-occupied territories, such as Crimea, using Western weapons. These actions have consistently met Russian warnings, which have so far not resulted in significant escalation.
Analysts like Stepanenko argue that Russia has limited options for further escalation without substantial risk. While the latest policy change marks a notable development, it is unlikely to be a decisive game-changer in the conflict. Instead, it represents an additional tool for Ukraine to enhance its defensive capabilities