Biden and Starmer Meet to Discuss Ukraine's Request to Strike Russia

Strategic Insights -

U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met in Washington on Friday to consider Ukraine's request to use U.S.-made ATACMS tactical missile systems and British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles to strike military targets inside Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that allowing Ukraine to use these missiles would effectively amount to NATO firing its missiles into Russia, claiming the 32-member military alliance was already helping Ukraine operate the missile systems and choose targets.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ukraine has requested to use U.S.-made ATACMS tactical missile systems and British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles to strike military targets inside Russia, with the goal of preventing and interdicting Russia's continued ability to degrade Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that allowing Ukraine to use these missiles would mean that NATO countries, including the U.S. and European countries, are at war with Russia.
  • The U.S. has reportedly shipped more than 100 ATACMS to Ukraine earlier this year, while Britain has been supplying Kyiv with Storm Shadows since last year, with the restriction that they only be used to strike Russian military targets inside occupied areas of Ukraine.
  • Ukrainian officials argue that Russia can do nothing to enforce its red line – other than potentially rattle its nuclear sabre – since the large majority of its military is already deployed in Ukraine, leaving it unable to fight a war against NATO.
  • Tens of thousands of people have died since Mr. Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February, 2022, with Russia now occupying about 20 per cent of Ukrainian territory.

Statistics:

  • Over 100 ATACMS have been shipped to Ukraine by the U.S. earlier this year.
  • Britain has been supplying Kyiv with Storm Shadows since last year, with a range of up to 560 kilometres.
  • Russia has carried out air strikes on cities around Ukraine since the start of the war, and has recently escalated attacks on the country's electricity grid and heating systems.
  • Russia's allies North Korea and Iran have helped supply the campaign with hundreds of ballistic missiles and thousands of explosive drones.
  • Tens of thousands of people have died since Mr. Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February, 2022.
  • Russia now occupies about 20 per cent of Ukrainian territory.

Sources:

  • Reuters