Ukrainian Official: Iranian Missiles in Russia Are a Legitimate Target

KYIV, Ukraine — A top Ukrainian official stated on Monday that Western allies should permit Ukraine to utilize supplied weaponry to target military storage sites within Russia. This request arises amidst growing concerns that Iran has been delivering ballistic missiles to support Russia’s operations in Ukraine.

According to reports, the United States has informed its allies that there are indications Iran has sent short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the ongoing conflict. This information was shared by sources familiar with the matter over the weekend.

Western nations have been cautious about allowing Ukraine to strike inside Russia for fear of escalating the conflict, which has already become the most significant military engagement in Europe since World War II. However, Andrii Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian presidential office, emphasized that “protection is not escalation.”

Yermak expressed on his Telegram channel that in light of ballistic missile supplies to Russia, Ukraine must be enabled to attack missile storage sites with Western weaponry to prevent acts of terror from occurring. He did not reveal the identity of the countries supplying these missiles.

Since the war began in February 2022, Russia has conducted numerous long-range missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of over 10,000 civilians, according to data provided by the United Nations. These attacks have also severely impacted the country’s electricity infrastructure.

Despite these challenges, Ukraine has shown resilience and recently undertook a daring operation in Russia’s Kursk region while simultaneously defending against Russian advances in the eastern Donetsk region.

Since 2022, Russia has been using Iranian-made Shahed drones. The looming prospect of Iranian ballistic missiles being sent to Russia has raised alarm among Western nations as President Vladimir Putin seeks assistance from alternative partners.

Addressing these reports, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that such information is often untrue. Yet, he acknowledged the importance of Iran as a partner and mentioned ongoing development in trade and economic relations between the two nations.

The Iranian government has also responded, with foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani dismissing claims that Tehran is supplying missiles to Russia. Kanaani labeled these allegations as politically motivated, asserting Iran’s non-involvement in the conflict.

In response to the missile concerns, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry conveyed significant apprehension. They urged Iran to cease all weapons supplies to Russia to demonstrate the sincerity of their claims regarding non-involvement in the war.

Speaking in London over the weekend, CIA Director William Burns highlighted the increasing and concerning military cooperation among Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. He noted that these alliances pose threats not only to Ukraine but also to Western interests across the Middle East.

Additionally, China’s Defense Ministry announced on Monday that it would be conducting joint naval and air exercises with Russia beginning this month. Although China has not directly supplied arms to Russia, it has emerged as an economic lifeline, being a major buyer of Russian oil and gas. Moreover, China has been providing Russia with electronics and various items suitable for both civilian and military applications.

As the situation continues to unfold, the dynamics of international military support and geopolitical alliances remain in flux, with implications for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its broader effects on global security.

Source: Associated Press