Ukraine Allowed to Use U.K.-Donated Weapons in Ground Offensive Against Russia

Ukrainian forces have been given the green light to utilize British-supplied weapons in their ongoing offensive on western Russia, as confirmed by London on Thursday.

The Ministry of Defense stated that Ukraine holds the right to defend itself using the weaponry provided to it, even if it involves operations on Russian soil, provided these actions remain within the bounds of international law.

However, a stipulation was noted: this authorization does not extend to the use of Storm Shadow cruise missiles which were developed in collaboration with Anglo-French design. This condition was reiterated by the new Labour government shortly after taking office on July 5.

According to a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, the U.K. Government’s stance remains unchanged. Under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter, Ukraine is clearly entitled to self-defense in light of Russia’s unlawful aggressions, which may include military activities within Russian territory.

During the process of supplying weaponry, it is underscored that all military equipment should be deployed in compliance with international law, the spokesman emphasized.

Engagements between Russian military forces and advancing Ukrainian units now push further into Russia’s Kursk region, following their crossing of the border on August 6. They are expected to be equipped with anti-tank missiles, artillery, armored vehicles, and other materials supplied by Britain.

The BBC has reported that some of the 13 operational Challenger-2 main battle tanks provided to Ukraine have already seen action in this recent ground offensive. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky indicated that the Ukrainian forces have advanced as much as 22 miles into Russian territory, overseeing control over 82 settlements across an expansive area of 444 square miles.

Syrsky announced the establishment of “a military commandant’s office” under a senior military leader to address the power vacuum in regions that are now under Ukrainian control within Russia.

“To ensure law and order and to respond to the immediate needs of the population, a military commandant’s office has been set up in the areas we control. Major General Eduard Moskalyov has been put in charge,” Syrsky detailed in a video update shared on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s social media account.

He assured the president that “the overall situation is under control.” However, Moscow has painted a contrasting picture, asserting that its forces have dealt significant losses to Ukrainian troops and are regaining an upper hand in the conflict.

According to a report by the state-operated news agency TASS, the Russian Armed Forces’ Northern battlegroup reportedly repelled a Ukrainian assault near Kremyanoye. They claimed to have recaptured the village of Krupets and launched heavy bombardments on Ukrainian forces stationed to the west of Russkaya.

TASS also stated that Russian troops successfully blocked attempts by Ukrainian mobile units to deepen their penetration into Russian territory in six other regions, including Varvarovka and Alekseevsky in Belgorod province, where a state of emergency was declared by the governor on Wednesday.

Additionally, Russian forces reportedly targeted Ukrainian positions in several locations, including Olgovka, Snagosti, Pogrebki, Mirny, Zaoleshenka, Uspenovka, and Yuzhny. They also used short-range tactical ballistic missiles to strike a military convoy and 15 fuel tankers in a cross-border action near Lubny in Sumy province.

As per the report, Kyiv has sustained losses of approximately 340 servicemen alongside the destruction of 19 armored vehicles, which included five Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and 14 other armored combat units. Notably, eight vehicles, five field artillery pieces, one multiple rocket launcher, and two stations for electronic warfare were also reported destroyed.

Britain ranks as the third-largest military supporter of Ukraine, following the United States and Germany, with contributions totaling $9.76 billion in military aid, hardware, and equipment over the past two and a half years, up to June 30.

Source: UPI