To repel Russian attacks on Kharkiv using missiles and guided aerial bombs, Ukraine critically needs additional Western air defense systems, as well as sanctions from partners for attacks with Western weapons on military targets in Russian territory, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The report highlighted that recently ten partner countries partially or fully lifted restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western-supplied weapons for strikes on military targets in Russian territory. These political decisions will allow the Ukrainian Armed Forces to use Western air defense systems to strike Russian firing points and strongholds in border areas and Russian airspace.
ISW recalled that in February 2024, the Ukrainian Air Force shot down several Russian military aircraft, most of which were bombing Avdiivka.
"Ukrainian forces' ability to down Russian military aircraft in a frontline area indicates that Ukrainian forces will likely be able to replicate the same effects with both Ukrainian and Western-provided systems to protect northern Kharkiv region and Kharkiv city from Russian glide bomb strikes launched from Russian airspace," the ISW report said.
The Institute for the Study of War also recalled President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement that Russian forces would not be able to capture Kharkiv if Ukrainian forces received and deployed two Patriot air defense missile systems in the region.
"Russian forces have targeted Kharkiv City with glide bombs and various missile strikes in the past several weeks, although two Patriot batteries in northern Kharkiv Oblast would have limited effectiveness in defending against Russian airstrikes without the ability to fire on Russian aircraft in Russian airspace," the ISW report said.
Permission from the Ukrainian army to strike with Western weapons on the territory of Russia
With the onset of renewed invasion across the state border in the Kharkiv region on May 11, Russia began active shelling of Kharkiv and other settlements with guided aerial bombs (GABs), fragmentation bombs (FABs), and missiles from fighter jets from the Belgorod region.
To halt these attacks, official Kyiv began negotiations with partners to obtain permission to strike back. Ten NATO countries have already granted permission for such actions.
At the same time, the US and Germany initially approached this idea more cautiously. Later, the US allowed strikes with its weapons against Russia but imposed restrictions.
Germany allowed the use of its Patriot air defense missile systems to shoot down Russian fighter jets in Russian airspace.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine needs additional Patriot systems and an increase in the supply of F-16 fighter jets.