The debate on the issue is “vigorous”. After the last visit to Kiev, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is pushing — the source is the New York Times — for the White House to change its mind on the red line that prohibits the Ukrainian ally the use of Western-supplied weapons on Russian territory. Translated: if up to now the Atacms missiles have not been used to defend Kharkiv, thus avoiding an escalation of the conflict, Washington is now evaluating a change of strategy.
Discussions in progress. Signals on the change in the rules of engagement for air targets had already arrived from Secretary of State for Defense Lloyd Austin while the British authorized the use of Storm Shadows to strike Russian soil. And, even if the US newspaper itself underlines that the debate is still in its embryonic stage, plan includes green light for attacks on Russian military facilities, while banning them on the refineries that Ukraine has so far hit with DIY drones.
While there is discussion in the West, the Russians stand in defense on the Kharkiv front but do not let go, especially on the industrial objectives. Yesterday one of the largest was reduced to ashes with 10 missiles printing centers of Ukraine, until 2022 considered among the most convenient countries by Western publishers to print books. Economic and cultural damage aside, they were in the attack killed seven people and over a dozen were injured, hit with a «Double tap», cruel tactic used systematically by the Russians who they launch a second shot, after the emergency services intervene.
In Moscow, despite the denials of recent days, they seem to have decided to move forward. Estonian authorities say that Russian border guards have removed river border signs from Estonian territory. And the Kremlin also seems intent on not letting go on an economic level. Yesterday Vladimir Putin signed the decree authorizing the confiscation of American companies, in retaliation. Then he had two other prominent defense figures arrested: the deputy chief of staff Vadim ShamarinValery Gerasimov’s deputy, and a senior official, Vladimir Verteletsky.
Waiting for peace conference in Switzerland of mid-June, little is moving on the diplomatic front. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he will be at the D-Day commemoration in France and at the G7 in Puglia. Objective: ask for new weapons.
