Ukrainian forces claimed a significant victory on Monday, announcing that they had successfully targeted a Russian S-300 missile system within Russian territory using Western-supplied weaponry. This achievement marks a notable development in the ongoing conflict.
Iryna Vereshchuk, a Ukrainian government minister, shared the news on Facebook, posting a dramatic image that purportedly shows the aftermath of the strike.
Vereshchuk's post highlighted the significance of the attack, emphasising that it occurred "on Russian territory" and involved Western weapons for the first time since Ukraine received permission to use such arms on enemy soil.
This development follows the recent decision by US President Joe Biden to authorise Ukraine to conduct limited strikes using American armaments within Russian territory around Kharkiv.
This authorization came after several European countries lifted restrictions on the use of these weapons. However, it remains unclear whether the weapons used in the strike mentioned by Vereshchuk were supplied by the US or another Western nation.
For months, Ukraine had been urging Washington to allow it to target Russian territory with US weaponry. This request was driven by the need to counter Moscow's relentless attacks on Kharkiv, where Russian forces had been retreating to their own territory for protection, away from Western retaliation.
The US approval, while a significant shift, comes with strict conditions. Ukraine is only permitted to target areas around Kharkiv and is prohibited from using long-range ATACMS missiles in Russian territory. Instead, Ukraine can employ shorter-range GMLRS missiles, which have a range of approximately 70 kilometres.
Military experts have praised the decision, though they caution about its limited impact. Franz-Stefan Gady of the International Institute for Strategic Studies noted that while GMLRS strikes would complicate Russian military operations around Kharkiv, they would not stop them entirely.
Mathieu Boulegue from Chatham House described the policy change as an enhancement rather than a game-changer, providing an additional tool for Ukraine's defence.
This development marks a significant shift in the conflict, although it is not the first time Ukraine has conducted strikes with Western weapons on territories claimed by Russia.
Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, has been a frequent target of Ukrainian attacks using "Storm Shadow" missiles supplied by the UK. Additionally, in late 2022, Ukrainian forces targeted Kharkiv and Kherson in efforts to reclaim regions occupied by Russia at the war's outset. Throughout these operations, Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have issued nuclear threats to deter Western support for Ukraine.
The recent decision by the US and several European allies to lift restrictions on Ukrainian weapon use demonstrates a unified stance in supporting Ukraine's defence. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised Biden's authorization as a crucial step in strengthening the defence of the embattled Kharkiv region.
As the conflict continues, this development underscores the evolving dynamics and the international community's increasing support for Ukraine's efforts to defend its territory.
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