In a bold move, Ukrainian forces have reported a successful strike on a Russian S-300 missile system within Russian territory, utilizing weaponry provided by Western nations. The announcement was made by Ukrainian government minister Iryna Vereshchuk, who shared compelling evidence of the strike on social media, stating, “It burns beautifully. It’s a Russian S-300. On Russian territory. The first days after permission to use Western weapons on enemy territory.”
This development comes in the wake of recent authorization from US President Joe Biden, allowing Ukraine to conduct limited strikes using US-supplied arms within Russian territory surrounding Kharkiv. The decision follows the lifting of restrictions by several European countries on the use of such weapons by Ukraine.
While the specific source of the weapons involved in the reported strike remains unclear, Ukraine had long sought approval from Washington to target Russian soil with US-supplied armaments, particularly amidst Moscow’s intensified assault on Kharkiv. The approval granted by the US, although groundbreaking, comes with constraints and conditions. Ukraine is permitted to strike targets only around Kharkiv and is restricted from employing certain munitions, such as the long-range ATACMS missiles, capable of reaching targets up to 300 kilometers away.
Although military analysts view the decision positively, they urge caution against inflated expectations. The utilization of shorter-range GMLRS missiles enables Ukraine to disrupt Russian military operations near Kharkiv but may not significantly alter the overall dynamics of the conflict.
This shift in policy marks a significant departure in the conflict, with previous Ukrainian strikes on territory claimed by Russia, such as occupied Crimea, having occurred using Western-supplied weaponry. Despite warnings from Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding potential consequences, the US and several European nations have removed restrictions on Ukraine’s use of supplied weapons.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has welcomed Biden’s decision as a positive step in bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities in the face of ongoing hostilities in the Kharkiv region.
