Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region has been largely successful, with Ukrainian forces gaining control of nearly 500 square miles of territory since the surprise attack.
Military experts suggest that Ukraine could achieve even greater success if Western allies, particularly the U.S., lifted restrictions on the use of advanced weapons.
Ukraine would be allowed to target Russian supply lines and logistics more effectively.
“If we allowed the Ukrainians to reap the suite of benefits that come from using those missiles, that would indeed help the Kursk campaign,” said George Barros of the Institute for the Study of War.
“It is now no longer the Ukrainians lying on their back for nine-plus months at a time simply trying their best to triage,” he said.
Despite some restrictions being eased, the inability to use powerful missiles like Storm Shadow and ATACMS limits Ukraine’s operational capabilities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the incursion aimed to create a buffer zone against Russian attacks and highlighted the embarrassment faced by Russia in responding to the offensive.
