Ukraine considers long-range missile strikes against Russian targets

On Sunday, a Russian glide bomb struck a high-rise building in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, resulting in the death of a 94-year-old woman and injuring many others. This incident is part of a broader pattern of aerial attacks by Russian forces, which have claimed approximately 5,000 civilian lives since February 2022. In response to these ongoing assaults, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has advocated for the use of Western long-range missiles to target military installations deep within Russia. He argues that such capabilities are essential to counter the 'terror' inflicted by Russian military actions. Zelensky's call for long-range missile support has been ongoing for several months, emphasizing that a systematic solution is necessary to dismantle Russian military aviation at its bases. The U.S. has provided Ukraine with ATACMS missiles, which can reach targets up to 190 miles away, while the UK has supplied Storm Shadow missiles with a range of about 155 miles. However, the U.S. has been cautious about allowing strikes into Russian territory due to concerns over potential escalations, including the deployment of hypersonic nuclear weapons by Moscow. Despite these concerns, discussions are ongoing regarding lifting restrictions on Ukraine's use of these advanced missile systems. U.S. President Joe Biden has indicated that he is considering how to enable Ukraine to utilize this technology effectively. The situation remains tense, with Putin warning that any such actions could lead to direct confrontation between NATO and Russia. The potential for Ukraine to strike Russian military sites could significantly alter the dynamics of the conflict, but the decision to proceed with such measures is fraught with risks and geopolitical implications.