Russia Kiev urges the use of long-range weapons
In the face of constant Russian missile and air attacks, Ukraine wants to eliminate the source of the evil - military airfields and missile launching pads on Russian territory, deep into the country's interior. The list of possible targets is now long and the desire for retaliation is great. The only thing missing is permission from the USA to use the long-range weapons systems supplied by the West. Meanwhile, Ukraine reports explosions in Odessa and Russia reports further Ukrainian drone attacks.
15.07.2024, 05:15
SDA
So far, Washington has remained firm on the weapons systems and the USA has not yet given Ukraine permission to use these long-range weapons against targets on Russian territory. This was announced by Ihor Shovka, the deputy head of Volodymyr Zelensky's presidential chancellery, in an interview with "Voice of America". Nevertheless, Ukraine is continuing to work with the USA on this issue and hopes that it will give in soon.
"Everyone knows where the danger lies, where the missiles (against Ukraine) are being launched." Shovka was optimistic: "All the important decisions that the USA has made in the past have been made extremely quietly - and that will be the case this time too."
For some time now, Ukraine has been demanding permission to use the long-range weapons supplied by the USA and other Western partners, i.e. missiles or cruise missiles, against targets on Russian territory. Until now, the Ukrainian military has only been able to use drones with significantly less explosive power. They have had several successes against fuel depots or refineries, but the unmanned missiles have so far had little effect against airfields or missile launch bases.
Western weapons may so far only be used against targets in the occupied territories of Ukraine, including Crimea, as well as in the eastern part of the country in the immediate border area.
The USA is aware of this problem, emphasized Shovka. He therefore expects the USA to give its consent soon, "as it has done in the past with other issues that we have discussed with the US government."
Explosions in Odessa - Russia reports drone attacks
According to media reports, there were violent explosions at night near the Ukrainian port city of Odessa. The governor of the region's military administration, Oleh Kiper, called on the residents of the city and Odessa district via Telegram to stay in shelters until the fire had been extinguished. The Ukrainian air force had previously reported a threat of ballistic missile attacks from the south. There was initially no information about possible damage or casualties.
Meanwhile, according to the governor responsible, the Russian air defense intercepted and destroyed six drones over the Bryansk region. The region southwest of Moscow borders on Ukraine. A drone attack was also reported in the Russian region of Lipetsk, south of Moscow. According to the local governor, a drone crashed on the site of an electrical substation. According to reports, there were no injuries in either case and the work of the substation was not disrupted. The information could not initially be independently verified.
New 3-ton glide bombs against targets in Ukraine
According to information from Ukrainian military circles, the Russian air force has recently started using new glide bombs against targets in Ukraine. Bombs weighing three tons have been equipped with small wings and corresponding electronics in order to drop them from a great distance from aircraft and then guide them to the target.
"They use Sukhoi Su-34 fighter jets for this purpose, which take off from airfields that we would have to destroy in order to protect our people," Andriy Yermak, head of the presidential office in Kiev, was quoted as saying by the Unian agency. However, he complained that the permission to use Western weapons was lacking. "Only such permission can protect many lives."
In an interview with the state agency Tass, a Russian fighter pilot emphasized the accuracy of the upgraded, actually outdated bombs. The maximum deviation was ten meters, claimed the unnamed pilot. In addition, the bombs could not be stopped in their approach by any air defense system, "neither with Patriots nor with Cheetahs".
Merz: Support Ukraine with fighter jets too
Meanwhile, CDU leader Friedrich Merz spoke out in favor of greater support for Ukraine to defend against the Russian war of aggression - and for the delivery of fighter jets.
Merz said on ARD's "Ask yourself": "It seems plausible to me to help Ukraine now, at least to regain sovereignty over its own airspace. Because these missile attacks, which are now taking place in ever increasing numbers, against the infrastructure, against electricity and water supplies, against hospitals and old people's homes, cannot be brought under control from the ground alone. And that is why the delivery of fighter planes to Ukraine is already a done deal in many countries around the world, including in Europe. As Germans, we should not stand back."
Some NATO states want to speed up the process of equipping Ukraine with Western fighter jets. The transfer of F-16 jets is already underway, announced the USA, the Netherlands and Denmark in a joint statement on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington last week. This means that the aircraft could be deployed this summer to defend against Russian aggression. The delivery involves American-made F-16 jets, which will be provided by Denmark and the Netherlands.
