All the Western Weapons Ukraine Has Already Used or Is Allowed to Use To Strike Inside Russia

1. F-16 Fighter Jets

Months of discussions, fueled by anticipation from Ukrainians and their allies, have resulted in Ukraine’s acquisition of its first F-16 fighter jets.

The Netherlands and Denmark were the first countries to issue official statements regarding the use of the F-16 jets they provided.

“This is not a new position, it is part of the transfer,” Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen has said. “When we discussed this with our foreign affairs committee in the Danish parliament, we made it clear from the very beginning that this is part of self-defense, so that it is also possible to attack military targets on the territory of the aggressor”.

The Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins-Slot stated that the use of Western aviation over the territory of Russia is allowed by Article 51 of the UN Charter, which speaks of the right to self-defense.

“If you have the right to self-defense, there are no borders for the use of weapons. This is a general principle,” he said.

Additionally, the Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren announced that the Netherlands plan to begin sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in autumn 2024.

In total, 45 F-16 fighter jets have been pledged to Ukraine by allied nations, which will make it possible to intercept Russian KAB guided bombs, that have been relentlessly used by Russia to strike the bordering Kharkiv region.

2. Patriot Defense Systems

Germany has provided Ukraine with two batteries of one of the world’s most powerful air defense systems and authorized its use on Russian territory and within the bounds of international law.

Defensive systems like the Patriot air defense system are capable of intercepting Russian missiles and aircraft targeting Kharkiv from within Russian territory.

“It is entirely conceivable that Patriot systems will now be used in the Kharkiv region and over Russian territory. They are well-suited to counteracting Russian aircraft that drop horrific guided bombs,” according to German Major General Christian Freuding.

3. ATACAMS

A massive US $61 billion aid package for Ukraine, approved on April 20, included the long-range ATACAMS missiles which Ukraine has been requesting for a long time.

ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) is a surface-to-surface guided missile fired from the HIMARS and MLRS M270 platforms, ranging to 300 km (nearly 200 miles).

​​These missiles deliver a far greater reach, extending Ukraine’s operational zone deep behind enemy lines. This enhanced capability grants Ukraine an advantage in deterrence, allowing to dissuade potential adversaries more effectively. Additionally, the missiles' precision targeting and operational flexibility empower Ukraine to respond to threats with greater accuracy. “There is only one way to destroy Russian capabilities in Ukraine. It’s to hit deep into the occupied territories… you can do it only with long-range missiles,” according to Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

4. Storm Shadows Missiles

In May 2023, Ukraine received the first Storm Shadow missiles from the United Kingdom. These discreet cruise missiles have an impressive firing range, exceeding 250 kilometers (or 155 miles).

Ukraine has frequently targeted occupied Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, using Storm Shadow.

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said in his interview with CNN: “All I can confirm is it has been used successfully, that is the information I received from the Ukrainians, and I’m pleased it is helping them to defend their country.”

5. HIMARS

On May 31, the White House allowed Ukraine to strike inside Russia using American-supplied weapons.

Just hours after the US authorized their deployment, Western weapons were used in the first strikes against Russian targets.

Reports indicate that Ukraine’s military positioned some of its mobile HIMARS launchers targeting the Russian city of Belgorod, located approximately 20 miles north of the border with Ukraine in southern Russia.

Ukrainian army managed to destroy S-300/400 SAMs, Tornado MLRSs, and another air defense installation, located about 60 km from the north of Kharkiv Oblast—the current front line.

“This is a welcome step that will allow us now to better protect Ukraine and Ukrainians from Russian terror and attempts to expand the war,” Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote moments before the first Ukrainian strikes upon Belgorod.

6. HARPOON Cruise Missiles

In 2022, the Ukrainian Navy claimed to have successfully deployed Harpoon anti-ship missiles for the first time in combat, striking a Russian rescue vessel near Snake Island in the Black Sea.

The ship named Vasily Bekh was transporting personnel, weapons, and ammunition to the Russian-occupied island.