Official announcements from Ukrainian or Western governments, reputable news sources

Ukraine Seeks Permission to Strike Russian Targets with Western Weapons to Weaken Aerial Terror and Seize Initiative

Jul 18, 2024, 11:47 AM

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has called for permission to use Western weapons on targets inside Russia, asserting that this would weaken Russian aerial terror. Speaking at a conference in Lithuania, Kuleba emphasized the need to destroy Russian bombers before they attack Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky echoed this sentiment during the 4th summit of the European Political Community, stating that military airfields and missile launch sites in Russia must be destroyed to protect Ukrainian cities and citizens. Zelensky argued that fewer restrictions on the use of weapons would push Russia towards peace by eliminating key military targets. Strikes on targets in Russia could help the Ukrainian Armed Forces seize the initiative on the battlefield and reduce the enemy’s military potential.