Ukraine's Renewed Request to Western Allies for Approval to Strike Deep into Russian Territory

On Saturday, September 24, an advisor to the President of Ukraine once again urged Western allies to support the country's plan to attack deep into Russian territory. According to the Associated Press, this request was made in light of a meeting on Friday, September 23, where no significant changes were observed in the policies of the United States and the United Kingdom regarding Ukraine's use of long-range weapons to strike deep into Russia. Andriy Yermak, the advisor to the Ukrainian President, stated that Russia's 'terrorist attacks' are carried out using weapons depots, airports, and military bases within Russia, and that approving attacks on these targets deep within the country is a solution to this problem. Kyiv reported on Saturday that Russia targeted various regions of Ukraine with artillery and drones. Ukraine has repeatedly asked its allies to agree to use long-range weapons sent by the West to strike targets deep within Russian territory. The United States has allowed Kyiv to use American-supplied weapons only in a limited area within the border of Russia with Ukraine. One of the topics discussed between U.S. President Joe Biden and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday in Washington was this very issue, but no specific decision was announced. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pressured the U.S. and other allies to allow his forces to use weapons sent by Western countries to target air bases and missile launch sites deep within Russian territory. Ukraine claims that Moscow has increased attacks on its infrastructure and power networks using these military centers ahead of winter. Russia has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's attacks deep into its territory would further escalate tensions between Moscow and the West. Since its military invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Russia has claimed Western and NATO interference in the war. Joe Biden rejected comments made by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, who stated that approving attacks deep into Russian territory 'means that NATO, the United States, and European countries are at war with Russia.' The U.S. and U.K. reiterated their support for Ukraine, expressing concern over the transfer of deadly weapons from Iran and North Korea to Russia. The U.S. imposed sanctions on Russian state media for covert fundraising operations for Moscow's soldiers in the war against Ukraine. Ukraine reported that Russia has launched over 8,000 'Shahed' drones since the beginning of the war. The delivery of hundreds of Iranian 'Fateh 360' missiles to Russia has been described by the U.S. as a 'very destabilizing' development. Reuters reported that a new Russian suicide drone has been produced using Chinese-made parts. The transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia has been labeled a 'direct threat' by the European Union, with new actions against the Islamic Republic on the horizon. The U.S. is reviewing Ukraine's missile restrictions for attacking targets inside Russia.