Ukraine Allegedly Strikes Deep Inside Russia: First Airstrike on Belgorod Amid NATO Weapon Support

 For the first time, a Ukrainian warplane has reportedly struck deep into Russian territory, following authorization from several NATO countries for Ukraine to use provided weapons to attack Russian targets. On June 9, a Ukrainian military source informed Sky News about the airstrike on a "Russian command node" in Belgorod, a region in western Russia.

The source, speaking anonymously, stated, "A Ukrainian Air Force mission has struck a Russian command node in Belgorod. Damage assessment is ongoing, but it is confirmed as a direct hit. This is the first UAF air-delivered munition against a target within Russia."

While Belgorod is close to the Ukrainian border,  neither side has officially commented on the alleged attack.

This reported attack coincides with other claims of Ukrainian forces executing a "coordinated strike" on a Russian landing ship that had moved from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov. Additionally, Ukrainian media reports suggest that a Su-57 Felon stealth jet was destroyed in a significant combat victory.

The Sky News report did not specify the type of ammunition used in the Belgorod strike or if it was of Western origin. These claims follow statements from NATO countries, including France and the US, that Ukraine could use the provided weapons to hit Russian territory to halt the Russian advance. The US, however, specified that this should be limited to defending Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city.

The exact missile used in the Belgorod attack is unclear, though Ukraine has utilized the long-range Storm Shadow provided by the UK and its French counterpart, the SCALP-EG. French President Emmanuel Macron has allowed the use of French weapons to neutralize points from which Ukraine is attacked, while the UK foreign secretary has left the decision to Ukraine.

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported shooting down several Ukrainian drones and a Neptune missile in the Belgorod region but did not confirm an air-launched missile attack by Ukrainian warplanes.

While Ukraine has previously attacked Russian territory using modified drones, an attack by a warplane could be seen as a significant escalation by Russia, especially given warnings from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Putin recently reiterated a warning about arming rivals of Western nations supplying weapons to Ukraine, suggesting that Russia could provide high-precision, long-range missiles to those willing to strike Western targets. He stated, "If they supply weapons to the combat zone and call for using these weapons against our territory, why don’t we have the right to do the same?"

In response to NATO allowing Ukraine to attack Russian territory, Putin threatened to arm other nations with long-range weapons to target Western entities. Moscow has also reaffirmed its readiness to deploy nuclear weapons to protect its sovereignty.

Russian state media host Olga Skabeyeva and Dmitry Medvedev, the former president and current deputy chairman of Russia’s security council, echoed these threats, indicating that Russia could supply advanced weaponry to those opposed to the US and its allies.

After F-16, France to Supply Ukraine with Mirage 2000-5 Jets and Train Pilots by End of Year

 

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will provide Mirage 2000-5 jets to Ukraine and begin pilot training this summer, aiming for completion by the year's end. Macron revealed this in an interview with TF1 and France 2 during the D-Day commemorations in Normandy, where he was joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

France is forming a coalition with other nations to supply the jets, similar to the European coalition providing Ukraine with F-16 fighters. Macron stated, "We will launch a new cooperation program and transfer Mirage 2000-5 jets to enable Ukraine to defend its territory and airspace. Pilot training will start immediately, followed by the aircraft transfer."

The Mirage 2000-5, produced by Dassault Aviation, is an advanced air defense variant with enhanced radar and compatibility with Mica air-to-air missiles and Scalp cruise missiles, the latter already supplied to Ukraine. Macron did not specify the number of jets but mentioned details would be shared when Zelenskyy visits Paris.

"The critical factor is the training duration, typically five to six months. We'll propose to President Zelenskyy that pilots start training this summer in France, so they can operate the aircraft by year-end," Macron added.

Other countries like the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium have also pledged to supply F-16 jets to Ukraine, with pilot training ongoing in various European nations.

Additionally, France plans to train and equip a brigade of 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers. Macron noted that training on Ukrainian soil, particularly in the western regions, would not escalate tensions with Russia.

Macron emphasized that Ukraine has the right to use French weapons to target Russian positions attacking Ukraine, stating, "Restricting such use would prevent Ukrainians from defending against bombings. The limit is dictated by Russian actions."

Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu and several defense firms, including KNDS, Thales, MBDA, Dassault Aviation, and Arquus, in Paris. He will also sign a letter of intent with KNDS to establish a unit in Ukraine, according to the Armed Forces Ministry.