Ukraine urges US and UK to lift weapon restrictions amid Russian attacks

Ukraine has urgently called on its allies to lift restrictions on the use of Western long-range weapons in the wake of a significant missile and drone assault from Russia. This attack involved more than a hundred missiles and approximately a hundred drones, marking one of the largest assaults in recent weeks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported the events on Telegram, stating that over half of the country’s regions were targeted. The attack resulted in the loss of at least six lives and was characterized by officials as a dangerous escalation.

In light of the attack, Zelenskyy emphasized the necessity for allies to reconsider the limitations placed on weapons supplied to Ukraine. He pointed out that while Russia continues to unleash heavy firepower, Ukrainian forces remain restricted in their ability to retaliate effectively.

Currently, Ukraine seeks to utilize advanced missile systems, including Storm Shadow/SCALP and ATACMS, to target military locations within Russia. In May, some international partners began to ease their restrictions, allowing for more extensive military operations against Russian forces. However, long-range strikes on Russian territory remain prohibited for nations like the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.

Zelenskyy expressed his disdain for Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing him as “a sick creature” and asserting that Putin’s actions reflect what the international community permits. He insisted that if Ukraine is bound by restrictions while Russia acts without restraint, it undermines the fight against aggression.

The Ukrainian leader articulated a powerful message, stating, “The United States, the United Kingdom, France, and other partners have the power to help us stop terror. We need decisions.” His remarks underscore a growing frustration among Ukrainian officials regarding the limitations placed on their military response capabilities.

Echoing Zelenskyy’s sentiments, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba took to social media, urging that affirming Ukraine’s right to strike legitimate military targets within Russia would be a fundamental step towards establishing a more effective defense mechanism.

The Ukrainian plea comes amidst ongoing discussions within the international community. Officials have expressed that the existing rules hinder Ukraine’s ability to dismantle the sources of Russian attacks, forcing them to react to each individual strike—a much more complicated and resource-intensive approach.

In past communications, Zelenskyy has raised concerns over Ukraine’s ability to target Russian aircraft that deploy glide bombs from afar, bolstering the argument that more long-range capabilities are necessary to neutralize these threats.

To compensate for these limitations, Ukraine has begun developing its own long-range weaponry. An analyst from the Institute for the Study of War pointed out that Ukraine depletes considerable resources to protect its infrastructure while Russian forces operate with less risk due to Western-imposed restrictions.

The analyst noted that the current Western policy allows Russia a “sanctuary,” facilitating its ability to engage in attacks without facing immediate repercussions from Ukrainian forces. Estimates indicate that roughly 250 crucial military targets within Russia could be accessible to Ukrainian long-range missiles, while current policies restrict access to only 20 of these targets.

Expert opinions suggest that lifting these restrictions would significantly enhance Ukraine’s strategic position despite concerns about escalation. Analysts contend that the current state of the Russian military is stretched thin and unlikely to increase its aggression if Ukraine were empowered to retaliate more robustly.

Recent statements from the EU’s chief diplomat supported the idea of abolishing restrictions on Ukrainian military capabilities as a means to bolster self-defense and protect civilian lives.

Kuleba reiterated the message that lifting arms restrictions would not escalate the conflict but rather deter Russian attacks, ultimately reducing casualties. He called for prompt action, emphasizing the urgent need to safeguard lives.

Source: Business Insider