There are no restrictions: Ukraine can fire French-provided missiles at airfields in Kursk and Belgorod regions - BBC.

The United Kingdom and France have reportedly considered allowing Ukraine to use their Storm Shadow/SCALP air-launched cruise missiles to target military sites in Russia. These missiles have a range of up to 250 kilometers, putting enemy airfields in the Kursk and Belgorod regions within reach.

The BBC reported this development, although no official statements have been made by Western partners regarding the use of Storm Shadow/SCALP against Russia.

Allowing attacks on Russian territory marks a significant shift. Previously, Western leaders were cautious about escalating the conflict.

The change in stance was influenced by the Russian offensive in the northeast of the Kharkiv region. Kyiv successfully convinced many allies that striking military facilities across the border was essential for its defense. Restrictions had previously allowed Russian forces to prepare for new fronts in relative safety.

"After mounting pressure from Ukraine and other European countries, the US agreed to change its policy," noted the BBC.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to expand "sanitary zones" if Western long-range weapons were used against Russia. He warned NATO countries, noting that Europe should consider its "small territory and high population density" before contemplating deep strikes into Russian territory.

The United States still does not permit Ukraine to attack Russia with ATACMS missiles, which have a range of up to 300 kilometers.

However, shorter-range systems like HIMARS, with a range of up to 70 kilometers, can still significantly disrupt enemy logistics and movement near the border, slowing down any offensive plans.

Defending against air attacks remains complex. To counter such threats, the Ukrainian Defense Forces need to destroy enemy aircraft before they can drop bombs. Patriot air defense and missile systems could help, but deploying them close to Kharkiv is risky, as Russian drones could quickly locate and target them.

Interestingly, London and Paris have not specified restrictions on Ukraine's use of Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles, which can reach up to 250 kilometers.

French President Emmanuel Macron recently stated, "We must allow [Ukraine] to neutralize the military sites from which the missiles are launched and, in fact, the military sites from which Ukraine is attacked."

A military aviation officer, speaking anonymously to the BBC, suggested this rhetoric might be seen as permission for Ukraine to use these missiles against Russia. He indicated that Ukraine could now target airfields in the Kursk and Belgorod regions.

However, such operations would be risky. Ukrainian Su-24s equipped with these missiles would need to approach the Russian border to launch. F-16s, expected by the end of 2024, are better suited for these missions. Yet, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently mentioned uncertainty about whether partners would allow the use of American fighters for strikes inside Russia.

"I think that the use of any Western weapon on the territory of Russia is a matter of time," Zelenskyy said at the Nordic Summit in Stockholm on May 31.

- U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken previously confirmed that Washington does not oppose using weapons supplied to Kyiv for strikes in Russia.

- Politico noted that extensive negotiations were required for President Joe Biden to approve this change.