According to the statements made on Saturday, the chief of NATO’s Chair of military committee, Adm. Rob Bauer stated that Ukraine has both the legal and military justification necessary to carry out long range strike inside Russia — as several U.S. allies believe — even as the Biden administration is reluctant to permit.

These remarks came as U.S. President Joe Biden is considering whether to permit Ukraine to use American-supplied long-range weapons for missile strike inside Russia, suggesting disagreements on the matter. As per reports, recently UK PM Keir Starmer also tried to convince Joe Biden to permit long range use of Storm Shadow Missiles enabling Ukrainians to strike inside Russia. Some Components of Storm Shadow Missile are manufactured in the US, due to which Biden’s approval in this aspect is necessary.

Biden appears open to the idea, but no official decision has been made yet. The U.S. has pointed out that Ukraine possesses drones capable of long-range strikes and has advised them to use ATACMS sparingly due to the limited supply available.

Every nation that is attacked has the right to defend itself. And that right doesn’t stop at the border of your own nation. You want to weaken the enemy that attacks you in order to not only fight the arrows that come your way, but also attack the archer that is, as we see, very often operating from Russia proper into Ukraine.

Admiral Rob Bauer, NATO Chair for Military Committee

However, Ukraine believes that allowing Ukraine to use long-range NATO weapons would significantly enhance their military capability, balancing their defense strategy with offensive potential against Russian forces. The Ukrainian built drones are serving well, but not enough. The precision & effectiveness of long-range missiles coming from the US, UK & Other NATO Allies can help Ukraine to strike inside Russia, deep into Russian military infrastructure. This will trigger a change of thought & plans in Russian and a psychological impact in the Russian soldiers & Russian citizens.

“We need to have this long-range capability not only on the occupied territory of Ukraine, but also on the Russian territory, so that Russia is motivated to seek peace,”

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President, Ukraine

Kremlin has responded to the reports & assured of “an appropriate response” if Ukraine is allowed to use US Made ATACMS Missiles or UK Made Storm Shadow Missiles to strike inside Russia.

Ukraine’s drones provide valuable, though partially effective strike capabilities, access to NATO-supplied long-range weapons like ATACMS is crucial for more effective, precise, and sustained operations. These advanced systems enhance Ukraine’s strategic reach, countering Russian forces aggression more effectively and reinforcing its defense and deterrence efforts in the ongoing conflict.