Ukraine Believes Use Of Western Supply Weapons Could Weaken Russia At Borders

Ukrainian Military/PHOTO via Instagram @zelenskyy_official

JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of staff said the use of Western weapons to attack in Russia was an important decision that would impact Moscow's tactical flight and its ability to operate in border areas.

Following pressure from Ukraine and some of its allies in Europe, the US last week agreed to change its policies and allow Kyiv to attack Russian territory with Western weapons as part of its campaign to repel Russia's massive invasion.

Kyiv said the move would help hinder Russia's progress and better defend territory in the northeastern region of Kharkiv.

"The permission to use Western weapons in the territory of the Russian Federation is an important decision," Andriy Yermak said via the Telegram messaging application.

This will have an impact on the implementation of war, planning countermeasures, and will weaken Russia's ability to use their troops in border areas.

The decision will also help better fend off Russian airstrikes, Yermak said.

Ukraine has frequently targeted occupied Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, with Western-made weapons.

However, due to the defeat of weapons and numbers of troops on the battlefield, Kiev pleaded with Washington to allow it to strike targets on Russian soil with US-made weapons, when Moscow launched a new front in the northeastern region of Kharkiv.