Use of long-range weapons by Ukraine in Russia

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Ukraine is prohibited from using long-range weapons provided by most countries, with the exception of the United States, within Russia. The country has used long-ranged missiles in Russian-occupied territories since April 2024.

Background

Domestic program

Ukraine has maintained a domestic long-range missile program prior to the Russian invasion in February 2022. The Ukrainian military deployed a long-range missile that was manufactured in the country in September 2023.[1]

Initial use

In October 2023, Ukrainian forces began using APAM missiles[2] against Russian forces.[3] In March 2024, Politico reported that the U.S. was planning to send additional APAM missiles to Ukraine.[4] The shipment included long-range ATACMS missiles.[5]

Use in Crimea

In May 2024, Ukraine used ATACMS missiles against a Russian communications center in Crimea.[6]

Weapons approval

The United States has debated granting Ukraine permission to use long-range weapons within Russia. U.S. officials do not believe that Ukraine has enough ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles to alter the course of the war, according to The New York Times. In September 2024, U.S. president Joe Biden met with British prime minister Keir Starmer to discuss allowing Ukraine to use long-range weapons in Russia.[7]

On 16 November 2024, Biden allowed Ukraine to use long-range missiles.[8] Permission for the US ATACMS strikes are limited to Russian and North Korean forces in Kursk Oblast.[9] ccording to Le Figaro, France and Britain have granted permission for Ukraine to use SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles on targets inside Russia. If the Storm Shadow missiles have similar restrictions as ATACMS is unclear.[10][11]

References

  1. ^ Stern, David; Morgunov, Serhiy (1 September 2023). "Ukraine says it has manufactured and fired a long-range missile". The Washington Post. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  2. ^ Seligman, Lara; McLeary, Paul; Ward, Alexander (17 October 2023). "Inside Biden's decision to secretly send longer-range U.S. missiles to Ukraine". Politico. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  3. ^ Sanger, David E.; Jakes, Lara; Sanota, Marc; Méheut, Constant; Ismay, John (October 17, 2023). "Ukraine Uses Powerful American-Supplied Missiles for First Time". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  4. ^ Seligman, Lara; Ward, Alexander (12 March 2024). "White House expected to send more ATACMS to Ukraine". Politico. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  5. ^ Ward, Alexander; Seligman, Lara (24 April 2024). "The US secretly sent long-range ATACMS to Ukraine — and Kyiv used them". Politico. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  6. ^ Lovett, Ian; Nikolaienko, Nikita (2 May 2024). "Ukraine Hits Russian Complex in Occupied Crimea With U.S.-Supplied Missiles". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  7. ^ Shear, Michael D.; Sanger, David E. (13 September 2024). "Meeting With Biden, British Leader Hints at Ukraine Weapon Decision Soon". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 13 September 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  8. ^ "Biden Allows Ukraine to Strike Russia With Long-Range U.S. Missiles".
  9. ^ Nicole Wolkov; Christina Harward; Angelica Evans; Davit Gasparyan; Grace Mappes; Frederick W. Kagan. "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 17, 2024". ISW.
  10. ^ Sonya Bandouil (17 November 2024). "UK, France approve Ukraine's use of long-range missiles for strikes inside Russia, Le Figaro reports". The Kyiv Independent.
  11. ^ Nicole Wolkov; Christina Harward; Angelica Evans; Davit Gasparyan; Grace Mappes; Frederick W. Kagan. "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 17, 2024". ISW.