Ukraine Hopes for Permission to Use Long-Range Missiles on Russian Targets

Strategic Insights -

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is optimistic that his forces will soon be allowed to use US and UK-supplied long-range missiles on military targets in Russia, a senior Kyiv source has revealed. This comes as Ukrainian officials press their allies to permit the use of American Army Tactical Missile System missiles (ATACMS) and British Storm Shadow cruise missiles to strike deep into Russian territory. The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, recently visited Ukraine's capital, where they met with Ukrainian officials to discuss the issue.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is hopeful that his armed forces will be allowed to use US and UK-supplied long-range missiles on military targets in Russia.
  • The US and UK have only permitted Ukraine to launch the missiles at Russian strongholds on Ukrainian soil, largely in the south-east Donbas region and Crimea.
  • Ukraine is seeking permission to use American Army Tactical Missile System missiles (ATACMS) and British Storm Shadow cruise missiles to strike deep into Russian territory.
  • The Ukrainian prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, told David Lammy that the country hoped for an agreement to be reached on the issue.
  • US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that President Joe Biden was "not ruling out" granting permission to Ukraine to use ATACMS on Russian territory.
  • A Russian military headquarters and naval base are among the military targets within Ukraine's line of fire, should the UK and US allow Kyiv to use the long-range missiles.
  • Diplomat Ali Matinfar was summoned to the Foreign Office over accusations that Tehran supplied ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine.

Statistics:

  • Over a year has passed since Ukraine started using the US and UK-supplied missiles, but permission to hit Russian targets has been withheld.
  • The US has provided Ukraine with US$40 billion in military aid since the start of the conflict.
  • Iran has provided Russia with short-range missiles, which Russia is expected to use within weeks in Ukraine.
  • The US has canceled its bilateral air services arrangement with Iran in response to its alleged involvement in supplying ballistic missiles to Russia.

Sources:

  • "Ukraine PM meets UK foreign secretary in bid to secure permission to strike deep into Russia", The Guardian, February 10
  • "US and UK 'more upbeat' on Ukraine's chances of using US missiles on Russian targets", The Guardian, February 10
  • "US hits Iran with new sanctions over allegations of ballistic missile delivery", Al Jazeera, February 7
  • "Diplomat summoned over claims Iran supplied ballistic missiles to Russia", BBC News, February 9