The expert: “Has a flora of targets to choose from” • Kremlin: “Throws gasoline on the fire”
The message from the United States is described as a response to Russia deploying North Korean troops in the fighting against Ukraine, reports Reuters.
These are attacks with American atacms robots, which can have a range of upwards of 300 kilometers.
According to former lieutenant colonel Jörgen Elfving, the robots can become an important weapon for Ukraine – if they are allowed to be used on targets inside Russia.
– I do not rule out the possibility that Ukraine will use them against several different targets that can have an effect on the battlefield in Ukraine. It could be, for example, military headquarters, ammunition depots, and possibly railway junctions. It is clear that Ukraine has a flora of targets to choose from, says Jörgen Elfving in Efter fem.
Peskov: “Throwing gasoline on the fire”
However, there is uncertainty about what targets the robots will be used for. According to TV4 Nyhetern’s foreign reporter Johan Fredriksson, who is on the ground in Odessa, it is most likely that they will be allowed to be used against the troops in Kursk.
– I don’t think the White House will give the go-ahead to use them against airfields in Crimea or against weapons depots and oil depots further into Russia, says Johan Fredriksson in Efter fem.
In Russia, the information has sparked outrage. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, it is “obvious that the outgoing administration in Washington intends to take steps that throw fuel on the fire and provoke further escalations.”
– No one here listens to what is said in the Kremlin. After all, it is Russia that started this illegal war of aggression. That the US would fuel the conflict is just ridiculous, says Johan Fredriksson.
Signal to Russia, North Korea – and Trump
While the information creates hope in Ukraine, many people think it is too late.
– I mostly think that it gives a symbolic signal to the Ukrainian people that you support them. But it is also a signal to Russia and North Korea – and to Donald Trump that this is the support that Ukraine needs, says Johan Fredriksson.
According to Jörgen Elfving, it is unclear how Russia will act if the information turns out to be true.
– When this was on the news last time, Putin said they would take countermeasures, without specifying what.
May affect defense pact
It is possible that the robots could have consequences for the defense pact between Russia and North Korea. This is what former lieutenant colonel Joakim Paasikivi says to TV4 Nyheterna.
– If Ukraine manages to attack the North Korean units and kill many North Koreans, one must ask: are the North Koreans prepared to take as great losses as the Russians? We don’t know that yet, so I imagine they’re an important target.
The information that the US is expected to approve Ukraine’s use of long-range robots against Russia comes from anonymous officials and has not been confirmed by the White House.