Berlin allows Ukraine to fire German weapons at targets in Russia

Russian attacks from its own territory have increased in recent weeks, particularly around the northeastern city of Kharkiv, where Russian forces have opened a new front in the war, Hebestreit said.

Germany and other Western allies supporting Ukraine's defense are “convinced that Ukraine has the right… to defend itself against these attacks,” Hebestreit said.

“To this end, he may also use the weapons provided for this purpose…including those we provide.”

Germany, kyiv's main military supporter behind the United States, has delivered numerous military equipment to Ukraine, including heavy artillery and rocket launchers.

Berlin has so far been reluctant to allow Ukraine to use German weapons to strike Russian targets, for fear of an escalation of the conflict.

But as Ukrainian forces come under increased pressure, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pleaded with Western allies for more weapons and a freer hand in deploying those already delivered.

The issue was on the agenda during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Germany earlier this week.

kyiv should be allowed to “neutralize” Russian military bases used to fire missiles at Ukraine, Macron said Tuesday at a news conference with Scholz.

Subsequently, Washington officials said Thursday that President Joe Biden had lifted restrictions on U.S.-supplied weapons to allow kyiv to strike targets in Russia to defend the Kharkiv region.

wed/hmn/yad