Johnson urges allies to greenlight Ukrainian strikes on Russia with long-range missiles

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised the successful operation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk region and urged allies, including current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, to allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons against Russian targets.

In his column for the Daily Mail, Johnson emphasized that when Russia's full-scale invasion began, President Vladimir Putin could never have imagined that Ukrainian forces would eventually cross into Russian territory, seizing more ground in a week than Russia had captured in a year.

"This lightning dash into the Kursk region reminds us of the key truth about the whole war: that from the beginning we have always underestimated the Ukrainians," Johnson wrote.

He highlighted the Ukrainians' extraordinary ability to surprise, their careful secrecy, and their unwavering courage and determination.

"We have under­estimated their gift of surprise, the way they ruthlessly kept their latest plan a secret. We have underestimated their boldness – their willingness to do what people have thought impossible. We also deeply underestimated their genuine fury against the Russian invader," Johnson continued.

He urged allies to abandon "ludicrous Putin-phobia" and to permit Ukraine to use long-range missiles like the American ATACMS and British Storm Shadow. Johnson pointed out that despite fears of escalation, the real fear is with Putin, who is suffering significant losses. He called on allied nations to expedite their support for Ukraine.

"It's time for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to stop to stop pussy­footing around," Johnson emphasized.

He noted that Russia's tactical successes in the Donbas region were largely due to Ukraine's lack of resources for effective countermeasures.

"The most most important task now is to give the Ukrainians the permissions they need for the weapons they already have, to save time and save lives," Johnson added.

He concluded on an optimistic note, asserting that Ukrainians have once again demonstrated their ability to win, and that Western allies must support them decisively at this critical juncture.

"By their heroism, the Ukrainians have once again exploded the myth of Putin's invincibility. They have proved to their Western backers, again, that they can and will win," Johnson stressed.

It is important to note that despite President Volodymyr Zelensky's efforts to lift restrictions on the use of Storm Shadow missiles, the UK government has maintained its stance against allowing the Ukrainian Armed Forces to use these munitions to strike the Kursk region.

Similarly, the U.S. has not permitted Ukraine to use American long-range ATACMS missiles for attacks in the Kursk region. However, this is due to limited supplies rather than concerns about escalation.

Additionally, weapons provided by Germany to Ukraine become Kyiv's property upon delivery and can be used as deemed necessary. This policy, however, does not extend to Taurus cruise missiles, with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stating that their supply does not meet Ukraine's core defense needs.