Ukraine can now Strike Russia with NATO Long Range Weapons

Ukraine now has the green light from key NATO allies to strike Russian territory using Western-supplied long-range missiles. This marks a significant shift in Western policy and has immediate implications for the ongoing conflict.

What Has Changed?

1. No More Range Restrictions: As of late May 2025, Western partners—including the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Sweden, and Finland—are no longer imposing range restrictions on the weapons they supply to Ukraine. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed, “There are no longer any restrictions on the range of weapons delivered to Ukraine – neither by the U.K., France, nor us. There are no restrictions by the U.S. either”1.
2. Types of Weapons Involved: Ukraine has previously received long-range missiles such as U.S.-made ATACMS, U.K.-made Storm Shadow, and French SCALP missiles. These are now authorized for use against Russian military targets inside Russia, not just in occupied Ukrainian territories136.
3. First Strikes Reported: Ukraine has already used U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles to strike military targets in Russia’s Bryansk region, following explicit U.S. permission. This is the first confirmed use of such long-range missiles on internationally recognized Russian territory6.
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Why Did the Policy Change?

1. Escalation by Russia: The shift follows increased Russian offensives, particularly in the Kharkiv region, and the reported arrival of North Korean troops to assist Russian forces in border areas like Kursk3.
2. Ukrainian Requests and Western Debate: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and officials have long urged allies to lift restrictions, arguing that prohibiting strikes inside Russia hampered Ukraine’s defense45.
3. Western Unity: Countries like Sweden, Finland, and Canada have publicly stated they will not prohibit Ukraine from using their supplied weapons to strike Russia, provided international law is followed5.
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International and Russian Reactions

1. Russian Warnings: President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly warned that allowing Ukraine to use Western long-range weapons against targets inside Russia would mean NATO countries are directly involved in the war, fundamentally altering the conflict’s nature. He has threatened that Russia will “make necessary decisions in light of the threats posed to us”45.
2. Western Calculations: The Biden administration and European allies had previously hesitated, fearing escalation. However, with the battlefield situation deteriorating for Ukraine and new threats emerging, they have now accepted the risks of escalation23.
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Strategic and Military Implications

1. Expanded Target Set: Ukraine can now target Russian military assets, logistics hubs, infrastructure, and munitions depots within border regions like Kursk and Bryansk36.
2. Potential Escalation: Russia has begun relocating key military assets deeper into its territory to mitigate the threat. The decision could raise the risk of further escalation, but Western officials argue it is necessary to help Ukraine defend itself effectively3.
3. Morale and Deterrence: The policy change is seen as a morale booster for Ukraine and a potential deterrent against further Russian advances23.

Summary Table: Key Developments

Conclusion

Ukraine is now officially authorized to use NATO-supplied long-range weapons for strikes inside Russia, a major policy shift from the U.S. and European allies. This move is intended to bolster Ukraine’s defense amid escalating Russian aggression but carries significant risks of further escalation in the conflict

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