PRAGUE, Sept 15 V7N- A senior NATO military official, Admiral Rob Bauer, expressed that Ukraine would have valid military reasons to strike deeper into Russian territory using Western-supplied long-range missiles. Speaking at a NATO Military Committee meeting in Prague, Bauer emphasized that international law permits nations to defend themselves, including beyond their borders if necessary to weaken the enemy's ability to launch further attacks.

The ongoing discussions among Ukraine's Western allies, including a recent meeting between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Joe Biden, have centered on whether to authorize Ukraine to use these advanced weapons, such as U.S. ATACMS and British Storm Shadows, against targets in Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has pushed for access to such weaponry to disrupt Russian supply lines, fuel, and ammunition that are essential for Moscow’s operations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, warned that allowing Ukraine to strike Russia with Western-made long-range missiles would be considered direct involvement by the West in the conflict. Putin also claimed that the technical operation of such missile systems would require NATO personnel, as he believes Kyiv lacks the capability to program these weapons independently.

The decision to supply long-range missiles to Ukraine involves not only military strategy but also political considerations, as countries supplying these weapons may have reservations about their use. Nonetheless, Bauer noted the tactical advantage of striking logistics hubs to undermine the enemy's capacity to continue offensive operations.

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