Kursk offensive might accelerate West's approval for deep strikes into Russia, expert says
Photo: Ukraine hopes to get a green light from the US for ATACMS strikes on Russia (Getty Images)
The successes of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk region may accelerate the green light for the use of long-range Western weapons to strike deep into Russia, first of all, ATACMS and Storm Shadow/Scalp missiles, according to the head of the Centre for Military Legal Studies Oleksandr Musiienko's commentary for RBC-Ukraine.
Ukraine has a positive experience of using Western weapons in Russia. In the summer, the permission of the allies helped to stop the offensive in the north of Kharkiv region. We can state that after the Ukrainian Defense Forces were able to engage S-300 systems in the Belgorod region, the number of attacks on Kharkiv and the region decreased. This removed additional risks.
This permit allowed the full use of cannon artillery and HIMARS systems to prevent Russia from quickly redeploying forces. In addition, the road from Shebekino to Vovchansk is under fire control, which is responsible for logistics.
In addition, the permission to operate in the border area helped in the preparation of the operation in the Kursk region. It was preceded by strikes on the movement, deployment, and logistics of Russian troops in the region.
The current successes have given a new lease of life to the use of long-range weapons. When there are such successes, many people, especially in the United States, want to be involved in the success story. The recent visit of the senators to Kyiv and their praise of the Ukrainian offensive brings the authorization closer. I think they will now start lobbying the US administration seriously on ATACMS and other issues.
As far as I know about Storm Shadow, Ukraine is asking not just for authorization, but also for a second type of missile with a range of 450 km. I would point out that in the area of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' offensive in the Kursk region, Russia has fewer opportunities for active air defense. This expands the capabilities of Ukrainian aviation to use long-range missiles.
If we are talking about Storm Shadow, this would make it possible to strike at places of concentration of manpower, equipment, and other important objects. This is what is called air support for operations - a very important component that would help us.
Recently, Forbes wrote that due to the ban on ATACMS strikes on airfields, Ukraine could have lost a unique opportunity to destroy Russian Su-34s at the Baltimor base near Voronezh. And allegedly, Russia took them to airfields farther away from the border, which made the aircraft inaccessible to missiles.
But I don't think that if the US gives the go-ahead, it will be a belated decision. We need to understand that Russia withdraws its aircraft, but later it appears closer to the border. And we need to be able to launch strikes. This will also act as a deterrent. The right to strike is already a good thing, giving us certain advantages even before we use weapons. Therefore, it will strengthen us in any case. It's a shame that it didn't happen sooner because we are wasting time. But it's better late than never.
