Germany authorizes Ukrainian military to launch attacks on Russian soil with limited range – Bild
Germany has permitted Ukraine's Defense Forces to carry out strikes on Russian territory, although the area of impact is limited.
Bild reports this.
As Bild notes, German weapons for strikes against Russian territory can only be used in the Kharkiv region.
"Together with our closest allies and in close dialogue with the Ukrainian government, we are constantly adapting our support to the development of the war," said the press secretary of the German government, Steffen Hebestreit.
Two German weapons systems are being discussed to strike Russian territory potentially:
- the Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzer;
- and the Mars II armored salvo missile system.
"The radius within which Ukraine's armed forces can strike with German weapons on the territory of Russia is small: the maximum zone of hitting targets abroad is no more than 40 kilometers," adds Bild.
For reference:
It should be noted that after the start of a new offensive by Russian troops in the Kharkiv region, some European countries started a campaign to ease restrictions on the use of weapons transferred to Ukraine.
In turn, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also emphasized that Ukraine's use of Western weapons against Russian targets would not make NATO part of the conflict. The head of the Alliance has redoubled efforts to urge allies to lift restrictions on hitting targets in Russia.
The US Helsinki Commission also stated that the United States of America should allow Ukraine to strike with American weapons against the forces of the Russian Armed Forces in the border areas of Russia. However, the Pentagon said that American weapons are intended for use on the territory of Ukraine.
On May 28, the Prime Minister of Belgium explained during a press conference that the 30 F-16 fighter jets that Belgium has pledged to hand over to Ukraine can only be used on Ukrainian territory. The same applies to other weapons provided for in the security agreement.
Which countries supported Kyiv regarding the use of Western weapons on the territory of Russia:
- Sweden allowed Ukraine to use its weapons to attack the Russian Federation.
- Poland supported Ukraine's right to use Western weapons to attack Russia.
- The Czech Republic supported using partners' weapons for defense in the aggressor's territory.
- The Netherlands supported strikes on the territory of the Russian Federation with Western weapons.
- Ukraine can attack the territory of the Russian Federation with the help of weapons provided by Finland.
- Moreover, permission to use the transferred weapons for attacks on the territory of the Russian Federation was supported by the Baltic states.
- The Joe Biden administration has eased their policy of forbidding Ukraine from using American weaponry against Russian targets. However, there are still some restrictions that remain in effect.
US allows Ukraine to use American weapons against Russian territory, with caveats and restrictions
Canada, Denmark, and France greenlight Kyiv to utilize their weapons against Russian territory
Українські оборонці уже з червня отримуватимуть від 50 до 100 тисяч снарядів на місяць
