Russia has formally reacted to media reports claiming that the United States, France, and the United Kingdom have allowed Ukraine to use their long-range missiles for attacks on Russian territory.
Maria Zakharova, the official spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed the issue when asked about the potential implications if the reports were accurate:
“Vladimir Putin has already commented on the possibility of Kyiv being allowed to use long-range weapons for strikes on Russian territory,” Zakharova responded. “The President has said everything there is to say on this matter.” She declined to elaborate further.
President Putin’s detailed remarks on the (potential) authorization by the United States and its allies for Ukraine to fire long-range missiles deep into Russian territory provide significant insight into Russia’s stance:
“We are not discussing whether Kyiv’s regime is allowed or forbidden to strike Russian territory. They are already conducting such strikes using drones and other means. However, when it comes to the use of Western-made precision long-range weapons, it is an entirely different matter.
The reality is this—something I have mentioned before, and it can be confirmed by any expert here or in the West: the Ukrainian military is not capable of executing strikes using modern, highly precise, long-range Western-made systems. They cannot achieve this on their own. Such strikes are only possible with the use of satellite intelligence, which Ukraine lacks. This intelligence comes solely from satellites belonging to the European Union, the United States, or NATO as a whole.
These advanced missile systems can only be operated by personnel from NATO member states. Ukrainian forces do not have the capability to effectively use these weapons. Therefore, this is not about granting or denying Kyiv the permission to strike Russia with these systems; it is about whether NATO countries decide to engage directly in the conflict.
If NATO countries make this decision, it would unequivocally signify their direct involvement in the military conflict. This would include the United States, European countries, and NATO as a whole. Such direct participation would fundamentally alter the nature and essence of the conflict.
If this occurs, it will mean that NATO countries—the United States and European nations—are at war with Russia. Should that happen, considering the change in the fundamental nature of the conflict, we will take decisions commensurate with the threats posed to us.”
Putin’s remarks underline Russia’s perception that the use of NATO-supported long-range weapons represents a profound escalation. The statement suggests that Russia views such actions as a shift from indirect support of Ukraine to active military engagement by NATO.
The reference to satellite intelligence highlights the degree of technological and strategic support Western countries provide to Ukraine, further reinforcing Russia’s argument that NATO is already deeply involved in the conflict.
By framing this as a decision about NATO’s direct involvement in war, Putin signals that any escalation involving Western-made long-range precision weapons would lead to countermeasures from Russia. These measures would be based on the elevated threat level that such involvement represents.
This issue underscores the precarious balance in the conflict and the potential for actions by either side to trigger significant escalations.
