The United States has joined NATO allies in allowing Ukraine to use weapons donated by the West to strike military targets on Russian territory, specifically in the Kharkiv region. The delay in allowing this action has cost human lives and territory, as Russian forces have been hitting Ukraine from behind the border without fear of retaliation. The approval to hit Russian forces close to the border will help Ukraine defend the Kharkiv region, which has been under bombardment by missiles and glide bombs launched from Russia.
With the new permission to target Russian forces within their own territory, Ukraine has the capability to use advanced weaponry like the long-range ATACMS missile system, which can provide precision hits on Russian factories and production centers. These missiles are designed to overcome obstacles and maneuver in the air, making them harder for Russian air defense systems to intercept. The threat posed by ATACMS will likely compel Russia to develop new strategies and logistical planning to protect their targets from Ukraine’s attacks.
Washington has been cautious in allowing Ukraine to hit targets in Russia due to Moscow’s warnings that such actions would escalate the war, potentially leading to a global conflict. If Russia were to attack a NATO member, it would trigger Article 5 of the alliance’s founding treaty, compelling other member states to defend the attacked country. However, Ukraine’s allies have already crossed many of Russia’s red lines by allowing Ukraine to use Western weapons against Russian territory without significant escalation.
Other countries such as France, Germany, Finland, Canada, Poland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Denmark, and the Netherlands have also stated they would allow Ukraine to strike targets on Russian soil in certain circumstances. Each country has laid down its own conditions for allowing Ukraine to use the weapons donated to them. The lack of a clear definition of what constitutes a military target raises questions about what Ukraine can and cannot do with the weapons provided by its allies.
The Danish and Dutch foreign ministers have stated that Ukraine could use F-16s against military targets in Russia for self-defense within the rules of war. Different countries have different conditions and restrictions on how Ukraine can use the weapons provided to them. Despite the diverse range of permissions granted to Ukraine, there is a common understanding among its allies that allowing Ukraine to target Russian forces on their own territory is a more effective way to save lives and protect Ukrainian sovereignty.
