Ukraine long-range weapons request/ Kyiv calls for deeper strikes/ Ukraine-Russia conflict long-range attacks/ Newslooks/ KYIV/ Ukraine/ Ukraine has renewed its appeal for Western allies to approve long-range strikes deep into Russian territory. This comes as Kyiv faces increased Russian drone and artillery attacks targeting civilians and infrastructure. Despite a recent meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, no change in policy was announced regarding long-range weapons.
Ukraine’s Long-Range Strike Appeal: Quick Looks
- Ukrainian Appeal: Ukraine renewed calls for Western approval of long-range strikes on Russian military targets.
- Russian Attacks: Kyiv reported 76 Russian drones launched overnight, with 72 intercepted, and continued attacks on energy infrastructure.
- No Shift in Policy: Despite discussions between Biden and Starmer, no decision has been made on expanding Ukraine’s strike capabilities.
- Escalation Warnings: Russian officials warned that allowing long-range strikes would provoke further conflict with NATO.
Ukraine Presses West for Long-Range Strikes as Russian Attacks Intensify
Deep Look
Ukraine once again urged its Western allies on Saturday to allow strikes deeper into Russian territory, following a meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer that ended without any apparent policy shift on long-range weapons. Ukrainian officials have consistently called for permission to use Western-provided long-range weapons to hit Russian military targets, a move Kyiv believes would help accelerate an end to the war.
“Russian terror begins at weapons depots, airfields, and military bases inside the Russian Federation,” said Andriy Yermak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Yermak argued that permission for deeper strikes would expedite Ukraine’s efforts to stop Russian aggression. So far, the U.S. has allowed Ukraine to use American-provided weapons only in areas near Russia’s border with Ukraine, restricting Kyiv’s ability to strike key Russian military infrastructure further inside the country.
The renewed calls from Ukraine came after another night of Russian drone and artillery attacks. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy reported that Russia launched more than 70 drones, with 72 shot down by Ukrainian forces, according to the country’s air force. He emphasized the need for stronger air defenses and long-range capabilities, calling on Ukraine’s allies to enhance military support.
“We need to boost our air defense and long-range capabilities to protect our people,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media, stressing that Ukraine continues to work with its international partners to strengthen its defenses.
Overnight, Russian artillery fire in the Sumy region killed one person, and energy infrastructure in the area was damaged. Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy reported that a 54-year-old driver died, and seven others were hospitalized. In Kharkiv, an aerial bomb hit a garage complex, although no casualties were reported, according to local officials.
Despite ongoing discussions about providing Ukraine with long-range weapons, there has been no visible shift in U.S. or British policy. The topic was reportedly on the table when Biden and Starmer met in Washington on Friday, but no decision was announced after their meeting. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has been pushing for expanded military capabilities to target Russian airbases and launch sites as Russia intensifies its assaults on Ukraine’s power grid ahead of winter.
On the Russian side, officials have continued to issue warnings about the consequences of allowing long-range strikes. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov accused the U.S. and Britain of pushing the war toward “poorly controlled escalation,” echoing similar comments made by President Vladimir Putin earlier in the week. Putin stated that permitting Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory would mean that NATO and Western countries are at war with Russia.
However, U.S. President Biden dismissed Putin’s latest threats. When asked on Friday about Putin’s warning, Biden responded bluntly, “I don’t think much about Vladimir Putin.”
Elsewhere, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that it had intercepted 19 Ukrainian drones over the Kursk and Belgorod regions of Russia. While no casualties were reported, the continuing exchanges of drones and missiles underscore the ongoing intensity of the conflict, which began in February 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
As Ukraine continues to advocate for long-range strike capabilities, the question of whether the West will provide these weapons remains unresolved. For now, Ukraine is left managing with the support already granted, as Russian attacks show no sign of relenting.
