Reuters: Putin again threatens “range of responses” if deep Russia strikes allowed with Western weapons

Ukraine is not allowed to use Western-supplied missiles inside Russia.

Oct 27, 2024 - 15:00

Reuters: Putin again threatens “range of responses” if deep Russia strikes allowed with Western weapons

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Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has issued a warning about potential responses to Western long-range weapons in Ukraine, Reuters reports. According to remarks published on 27 October on state TV reporter Pavel Zarubin’s Telegram account, Putin stated that Moscow would implement “a range of responses” if the United States and NATO allies permit Ukraine to use Western long-range weapons for strikes within Russia.

In President Zelenskyy’s “victory plan,” lifting restrictions on strikes inside Russia with Western weapons is a key point. Despite Ukraine’s appeals amid escalating Russian air attacks, the US, UK, and other Western nations continue to limit the use of long-range missiles like ATACMS and Storm Shadow to avoid further escalation. Meanwhile, Berlin has withheld Taurus missiles for months, with Chancellor Scholz citing fears of the war escalating into a larger conflict.

Ukraine routinely uses its long-range drones to target military and industrial installations inside Russia. After Russia’s new cross-border invasion into Kharkiv Oblast earlier this year, the US allowed using GMLRS rocket on targets in Russia near the border. However, the restrictions on using long-range missiles inside Russia remain in place.

The Russian defense ministry claimed on the morning of 27 October that its air defense systems destroyed or intercepted 51 Ukrainian drones overnight across multiple regions. Per the ministry’s Telegram post, 18 drones were intercepted over Tambov Oblast, 16 over Belgorod, and others over Voronezh, Oryol, and Kursk oblasts.

Russian officials frequently issue threats against NATO and resort to nuclear blackmail to influence Western military aid to Ukraine and maintain restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Western weapons. These threats appear effective, as demonstrated by the West’s ongoing hesitation to lift the long-standing ban on missile strikes inside Russia.These threats appear effective, as demonstrated by the West’s ongoing hesitation to lift the long-standing ban on missile strikes inside Russia.

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