Ukraine has successfully employed US-supplied ATACMS missiles against Russian-occupied territories, marking a significant development in the ongoing Ukraine war. The latest attack on the Luhansk region damaged civilian infrastructure and injured at least 22 individuals. Ukrainian forces targeted an oil depot, with reports indicating some of the missiles were intercepted, but not before causing damage.
Although the US permitted Ukraine to use some weapons to strike targets in Russia as of May 30, the deployment of ATACMS missiles outside Ukraine is still strictly prohibited. These long-range missiles can reach targets up to 300 km away, allowing Ukraine to combat Russian targets in contested areas, including Crimea.
President Joe Biden's administration has emphasized restraint, only allowing Ukraine to use certain weapons to protect its territories. This ban on long-range attacks on Russian soil aims to prevent nuclear escalation, a concern stressed by former adviser to the Ukrainian military, Daniel Rice. According to Rice, using long-range weapons like ATACMS could be misinterpreted by Russian warning systems as incoming nuclear missiles, potentially leading to catastrophic consequences.
However, there is pressure from US politicians to lift these restrictions. US Representative Mike Turner expressed that limiting Ukraine's capabilities hinders its defense efforts. Despite these calls, the Biden administration remains firm, reflecting the sensitive balance between aiding Ukraine and avoiding a broader conflict.
NATO allies, including France and Germany, have signaled support for Ukraine using provided weapons against targets firing missiles at Ukraine but cautioned against targeting civilian and military facilities within Russia. This nuanced stance further complicates the geopolitical dynamics, illustrating the delicate tightrope walked by Western powers.
In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that continuous escalation could have serious consequences. Russia perceives the use of Western weapons by Ukraine as a direct involvement of NATO countries in the conflict, potentially drawing the West into a larger war with Russia. Putin highlighted Moscow’s consideration of deploying similar long-range missiles to counterbalance NATO’s support to Ukraine.
The escalating tension, underscored by nuclear threats and military maneuvers, reflects the ongoing struggle that is not just a localized conflict but a part of a larger global power play. The war, now more than two years on, continues to pose significant risks to global security while exposing divisions among Western nations on how best to support Ukraine against Russian advances.
- US Representative Mike Turner's letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin underscores the internal political pressure within the US government to reassess its military aid strategy to Ukraine. Turner's stance reflects a broader viewpoint among some US lawmakers who believe that increasing military support for Ukraine can shift the war dynamics.
- In a joint press conference, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed cautious support for Ukraine's use of Western weapons while highlighting the need to avoid escalation. This indicates a unified yet cautious approach among NATO allies in balancing support for Ukraine with the need to prevent direct confrontation with Russia.
- Russia's nuclear doctrine, which was last updated in 2020, indicates that it could use nuclear weapons if it perceives a threat to its sovereignty or territorial integrity. This doctrine continues to serve as a critical element in Russia’s strategic calculus and its approach to the conflict in Ukraine.
