Dutch Defense Minister makes surprise visit to war-torn Kharkiv

Amidst constant Russian shelling, Ruben Brekelmans witnessed children attending classes in specially built underground schools.

Oct 6, 2024 - 16:00

Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans recently made an unannounced visit to Kharkiv, a Ukrainian city just 40 km from the Russian border that faces constant shelling.

The Netherlands has been at the forefront of military aid to Ukraine, notably being the first to provide modern F-16 fighter jets. In March 2024, both countries signed a decade-long Security Cooperation Agreement in Kharkiv.

During his visit, Brekelmans witnessed firsthand the impact of Russian attacks.

In Kharkiv (40 km van de Russische grens) zag ik de gevolgen van de zware Russische bombardementen.
Verwoeste appartementen. Tekorten aan elektriciteit. Kinderen naar school in bunkers.
Oekraïne kan zich hiertegen alleen verdedigen door Rusland op grotere afstand te houden. pic.twitter.com/N70T8AZQyI
— Ruben Brekelmans (@DefensieMin) October 6, 2024

“In Kharkiv, I saw destroyed apartments, power shortages, and children attending school in shelters. Ukraine can only defend itself by keeping Russia at a greater distance,” he wrote on X/Twitter.

Brekelmans also toured the wider Kharkiv Oblast on 5 October, an area that continues to endure relentless Russian attacks. The region’s proximity to the Russian border makes it particularly vulnerable to ongoing military operations.

Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans in Kharkiv Oblast, 5 October 2024. Photo: Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, via Telegram

In September, Brekelmans stated that Ukraine could use Dutch-supplied weapons, including F-16s, for strikes within Russian territory without range restrictions. However, such operations would require American JASSM missiles, which Ukraine currently lacks.

While Ukraine seeks approval for using Western weapons to strike inside Russia, allies like the US remain cautious about potential escalation risks.

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