Storm Shadow and ATACMS: What the West thinks about the use of its long-range missiles in Kursk

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Britain did not give Ukraine permission to use Storm Shadow long-range missiles transferred to Kyiv against targets in the Kursk region during the rapid offensive operation. The Telegraph writes about this, citing a source in the UK government. The publication noted that London had not changed its position on the use of its missiles, supplied to Kyiv for self-defense, and not for conducting offensive operations on Russian territory.

"We have clearly stated that the equipment provided by Great Britain is intended for the defense of Ukraine ," the source told the publication. It also reports that the decision on what purposes the Ukrainian Armed Forces can use Storm Shadow for also depends on France, which developed these missiles together with Britain. Ukraine also asked the US to use long-range ATACMS missiles during the breakthrough into the Kursk region of the Russian Federation. Washington has not yet given its consent, The Telegraph notes. Earlier, President Zelensky, against the backdrop of the breakthrough of the Russian border and the offensive of the Ukrainian army near Kursk, instructed the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry to seek permission from Western partners to use their long-range weapons. The head of state stated that this would speed up Putin's political end and the military defeat of the Russian Federation.

But, Dmytro Levus, international political analyst at the United Ukraine think tank, believes that Western partners don't prohibit Ukraine from using their weapons on Russian territory, as Ukraine operates within the framework of international law. He shared this opinion on Espreso TV.

"There is nothing fundamentally new about the authorization to use our partners' weapons. None of our partners have prohibited us from using their weapons on Russian territory. The only restriction applies to long-range missiles that are of operational and strategic significance. We are not forbidden to use vehicles, artillery, and other tactical-level weapons," Levus explained.

He emphasized that Ukraine operates within the framework of international law and is entitled to use various methods to defend against Russian aggression.

"We are not prohibited from using vehicles, artillery, and other types of weapons, as we act in accordance with international law. We have the right to use various means to repel Russia's aggression. Moreover, for the West, the weapons we use on Russian territory do not carry significant symbolic meaning and are not deployed deep within Russian territories," he added.