President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues active pressure on Western allies, calling for the lifting of restrictions on the use of long-range weapons for strikes on Russian territory. As CNN notes, the Ukrainian leader's rhetoric caused mixed reactions among experts.
Matthew Saville, director of military science at the Royal Joint Services Institute in London, assessed this position as risky, as Zelensky effectively accused the West of cowardice. However, if this pressure works, the political dividend for Ukraine could be significant, as the allies' resolve could reduce Moscow's aggressive rhetoric.
Experts are divided on the effectiveness of public debate around this topic. According to US intelligence, 90% of Russian aircraft launching strikes are located 300 km from the border, outside the range of ATACMS missiles. Russia has recently moved some of its aircraft further east, limiting potential targets for strikes.
Saville agrees that many important sites could have been moved, but this does not diminish the benefits of using missiles. For example, Storm Shadow missiles designed to destroy concrete structures can be effective against military headquarters and ammunition depots that remain within range.
ATACMS with cluster warheads can cause serious damage to Russian airfields, and analysts estimate that at least 15 such sites are within range of these missiles. ISW's George Barros points out that public discussions have already forced Russia to move aircraft, which could reduce the number of bombings and give the armed forces more time to respond to threats.
Barros notes that the possibility of strikes on Russian rear targets may force the Kremlin to more carefully assess the risks of moving troops to Ukraine. His research identified more than 200 potential targets for ATACMS, including military units, fuel depots and even the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District.
Saville believes that strikes on Russian radar systems could significantly weaken their air defenses, opening up opportunities for Ukrainian drones. The range of missiles can be increased if they are launched from Ukrainian positions in the Kursk region.
