Some NATO countries have lifted restrictions on Ukraine using their weapons following Russia’s offensive in Kharkiv, despite Putin’s threats of escalating the war.
Russia has experienced its two deadliest days of the conflict consecutively, losing 1,270 troops on Sunday and 1,290 on Monday.
This increase in casualties follows Western nations granting Ukraine permission to use their weapons to strike targets inside Russia.
Ukraine’s foreign minister has indicated plans to request further lifting of restrictions from its allies.
Vladimir Putin faced 1,270 casualties within 24 hours, as announced by Ukraine’s Defence Ministry, marking Russia’s deadliest day in its two-year conflict with Ukraine. The record was surpassed the next day, with the ministry reporting 1,290 more Russian troops “eliminated.”
The total number of Russian troops killed since the start of the Ukraine conflict now exceeds 500,000, according to the ministry.
Ukrainian forces have reportedly killed 512,420 Russian troops and destroyed 7,794 tanks, 15,020 armored combat vehicles, and 13,345 artillery pieces since the war began.
Recent eliminations include 15 tanks, 18 combat vehicles, 65 artillery systems, 27 drones, 69 vehicles and fuel tanks, three air defense systems, and 12 pieces of special equipment.
Kyiv reports Russian casualty figures exceeding 1,000 per day since Moscow’s new offensive in Kharkiv began on May 10.
This surprise offensive has led to Russia’s largest territorial gains in 18 months, according to The Guardian.
Last week, US President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use US-made weapons for strikes inside Russia, as Putin’s forces continued their offensive in Kharkiv, aiming to seize more Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine is seeking further approvals from its allies to use their weapons against targets in Russia, as stated by Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba.
Conflict analysts at The Institute for the Study of War emphasized the importance of Western air defense systems and permissions to hit Russian targets with Western weapons for Ukraine to counter Russian bomb and missile strikes on Kharkiv.
They stated on Sunday: “These policy changes will allow Ukrainian forces to use Western-provided systems to strike Russian firing and staging areas in Russia’s border areas and airspace.”
Previously, Ukraine was prohibited from using Western-supplied weapons to strike beyond its borders due to concerns that such actions might provoke Putin to further escalate the conflict.
However, several NATO countries have eased their stance in response to Russia’s recent offensive in northeastern Kharkiv.
Ukrainian officials argued that Western restrictions on weapon use hindered their ability to prevent the onslaught.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly asked Western allies for permission to use their weapons on Russian soil.
A dramatic video emerged yesterday showing US-made HIMARS missiles striking key military targets inside Russia for the first time, following President Biden’s decision to lift the US ban.
Russian sources reported that the missiles were used in attacks on Russian troops in Belgorod.
These strikes occurred despite Putin’s threats of all-out war if Ukraine used Western weapons against Russian territory.
Putin warned that “countries with small territory and dense populations” should be cautious, specifically noting that NATO member countries, particularly in Europe, should understand the risks they are taking. He cautioned that Ukraine’s allies could face “serious consequences.”
The UK has provided Ukraine with lethal and non-lethal weapons, which Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron insists Ukraine has the right to use as it sees fit, including for strikes on Russian territory.
