Ukraine can get permission from Western allies to use long-range weapons to strike deep into Russian territory. This opens up new opportunities for attacks on Russian airbases, ammunition depots and other strategic targets, as noted by The Times.
If these restrictions are lifted, Russia will have to move its aircraft away from the front lines. The main goal of the Ukrainian military is to reduce the number of flights of Russian aircraft , in particular SU-34 and SU-35, which are used for air attacks on the territory of Ukraine. This could significantly reduce the frequency of Russian airstrikes.
"A policy change would allow us to prevent Russian strikes and create the necessary deterrence. This brings us closer to the end of the war," said one of the Ukrainian soldiers in a comment to the publication.
At the moment, British Storm Shadow missiles with a range of up to 250 km and American ATACMS ballistic missiles with a range of about 300 km have already been transferred to Ukraine. However, strikes deep into Russia remain prohibited due to US fears of an escalation of the conflict. A change in policy may become possible after Iran confirms the transfer of Fath-360 ballistic missiles to Russia.
Germany still refuses to transfer Taurus missiles to Ukraine , which can significantly affect the capabilities of Ukrainian troops. Currently, only half of the 600 missiles produced are in working condition.
One of the main dangers of this decision is the possibility of a response from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who could take extreme measures, including the use of tactical nuclear weapons. This, in turn, can provoke a reaction from NATO, which creates additional risks for international security.
In the context of future announcements, on September 11, 2024, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in Kyiv may announce authorization to strike Russia with ATACMS missiles. This visit will also be marked by a joint statement with the British Foreign Minister.
In addition, the Pentagon disclosed the scale of missile production for HIMARS and the Patriot systems, noting that 1,167 GMLRS missiles for HIMARS are being produced each month, a 40% increase over 2022.
