Western restrictions on use long-range missiles against Russia may be linked to a shortage of such missiles in Western countries, a problem that has raised concerns about the potential for escalation.
This was reported by URA-Inform, citing RBC-Ukraine.
According to the source, France had only about 600 SCALP missiles, Great Britain ordered 1,000 Storm Shadow missiles, many of which had already been used, and the United States had about a thousand ATACMS missiles in stock. Thus, the missile stocks are limited.
Ivan Kirichevsky from Defense Express notes that the Ukrainian military and its partners may face difficulties in obtaining accurate intelligence on Russian military facilities. For example, there is no constant surveillance over the Kursk and Belgorod regions, as is the case in the Black Sea.
In his opinion, Western partners prefer to use missiles where they can guarantee the accuracy of the hit, which in the current conditions is only possible in Crimea. Therefore, instead of admitting a shortage of missiles, Western countries raise questions about escalation and “red lines”.
Defense Express analysts also point out that fewer missiles are needed to hit airfields in occupied Crimea, since their area is smaller. While an attack on a facility in Morozovsk, for example, would require about 50 missiles.
Another alternative could be the transfer of AGM-158-JASSM missiles for F-16 fighters, which have a firing range of up to 400 kilometers. However, according to public information, the allies have not yet agreed to provide such weapons to Ukraine.
Speaking about the position of Western countries, it is worth recalling that Italy addressed Ukraine with an important statement about the war.