Ukraine has long been pushing to be able to direct Western-supplied weapons at targets on Russian soil. While the US and Germany still hesitate, the Netherlands is now venturing out of hiding.
“Ukraine may use our weapons on Russian territory to defend itself in accordance with international law,” Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans told “FAZ” on Monday. At the same time, he encouraged other Western countries to lift restrictions on the use of weapons supplied by them. Ukraine has the right to self-defense, Brekelmans said.
“And if the country is attacked from border areas or from Russian airfields, it can focus on military targets. The same applies to enemy missiles; these can also be intercepted above Russia with our weapons.” According to Brekelmans, this permission also explicitly applies to the promised F-16 fighter jets. The Dutch government trusts that Kiev will also deploy the F-16s in accordance with international law.
“International law is not limited by distance. The right to self-defense does not stop 100 kilometers from the border.” That is why the Netherlands “has not imposed any operational restrictions on Ukraine in terms of distance,” the Dutch minister explained.
Russian pressure in the East remains very high
Ukraine has been fighting off a full-scale Russian invasion with Western support for two and a half years. Kiev is under enormous pressure after months of US aid deliveries were halted by a domestic political dispute in Washington. Also, a lack of weapons and equipment has prevented Ukrainian troops from holding several key and well-fortified parts of the front. So far, the general staff in Kiev has not been able to fully stabilize the situation in the east.
The weeks-long Russian assault on Ukrainian defense lines on the edge of Donbass continued in full force on Sunday. A total of 23 Russian attacks were repelled in the eastern part of the country during the day, the General Staff in Kiev said in its situation report. “The situation in the Pokrovsk sector remains tense,” the report said.
Similar heavy fighting was also reported in nearby Kurachewe, where the Russian military attempted to undermine Ukrainian defenses a total of 19 times. The information could not be independently verified. The Russian military has been trying to expand its positions around the Donbass for months.
Ukrainian counteroffensive
The Ukrainian counteroffensive in the western Russian region of Kursk, which began on August 6, failed to stop Russia’s advance. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday that the main goal of his military action in Ukraine would be the conquest of Donbass, which includes the Donetsk region.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
