UK supports Ukraine’s right to attack Russian territory, despite US concerns.

British Foreign Secretary Affirms Ukraine’s Right to Defend Itself Against Russia

“It’s important to remember that Ukraine does have the legitimate right to defend itself. It has a legitimate right to do so within its own borders, of course, but it does also have the right to project force beyond its borders to undermine Russia’s ability to project force into Ukraine itself.”

On the day of an apparent drone attack near Moscow, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly affirmed Ukraine’s right to attack “legitimate military targets” in Russia. This statement contrasts with American unease about such operations.

The Drone Attack

Russian media buzzed with the shock of an apparent kamikaze drone attack that “caused minor damage to several buildings,” according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. The incident prompted a cascade of Russian threats as well as criticism of the government from Russia’s most ardent war hawks.

US Response

The response from President Joe Biden’s administration was cautious. “As a general matter, we do not support attacks inside of Russia,” a State Department spokesperson said. “We have been focused on providing Ukraine with the equipment and training they need to retake their own sovereign territory, and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”

Continued Attacks

Russia bombarded Ukraine’s energy grid throughout the winter, a campaign that one of Putin’s top lieutenants explained was intended to force Ukraine into making territorial concessions. Those attacks continue, as Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s team acknowledged while expressing Washington’s discomfort with Ukrainian attacks in Russia.

British Military Support

Cleverly added that British military equipment is used to attack Russian forces in Ukraine, rather than targets in Russia. “What we have seen, of course, what we have done is support Ukraine to defend itself within its own borders. And we will happily continue to do so.”

Conclusion

It remains to be seen how the situation will develop, but it is clear that tensions between Ukraine and Russia are high. The international community will be watching closely to see how events unfold.