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Ukraine begins strikes on Russian soil using US weapons. Two attacks in the past week suggest the lifting of restrictions has allowed Ukraine a more effective defence. Ukraine begins strikes on Russian soil using US weapons. 2 attacks in the past week suggest lifting of restrictions has allowed Ukraine a more effective defence.

7 Jun 2024. Ukraine may have realised the first benefits of being allowed to strike Russian territory with Western weapons last week. On May 26 & 27, France & Germany said they allowing Ukraine to use their weapons against targets on Russian soil, following Russia’s new offensive against Kharkiv on May 10.

US sources told media on May 30. US was allowing Ukraine to use its weapons “for counter-fire purposes in Kharkiv”. That suggsition from which incoming fire had originated, but not to use its intelligence to target weapons systems and troop concentrations pre-emptively.

“This US ambiguity misses an opportunity to deter Russian preparations for offensive operations elsewhere across the border into northern Ukraine,” said the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think-tank.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week reported concentrations of troops north of the Ukrainian city of Sumy. Ukraine’s first declared strike on Russian soil with Western weapons last Friday may been based on a misunderstanding.

“Defence Forces of Ukraine attacked Kerch ferry crossing with ATACMS [US Army Tactical] missiles, which was actively used by enemy to secure its grouping of troops in temporarily occupied Crimea.”