In a hard-fought battle for Western support, Ukraine has finally received a limited "yes" from the United States and nearly a dozen other Western nations to use advanced weaponry in strikes inside Russia. However, the long deliberations and strict regulations have cost lives and raised concerns about Russia's potential use of nuclear weapons.

Denys, a serviceman on leave from the eastern front, expressed his frustration over the delays in Western arms supplies reaching Ukraine. He emphasized how each "no" initially costs lives, including those of innocent children. Ukraine's pleas for tanks, missiles, and fighter jets were met with extensive debates and agonizing delays.

Nevertheless, Western nations have now agreed to supply Ukraine with tanks, missiles, and fighter jets. The latest permission allows the use of these advanced weapons for "limited strikes" within Russia, specifically in areas adjacent to the northeastern Kharkiv region along the Russian border.

The situation in Kharkiv has been dire, with Russia's recent advance and relentless bombing leaving the city vulnerable. Moscow's seizure and subsequent attempts to take over Kharkiv have escalated tensions between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine's top general, Oleksandr Syrskii, played a pivotal role in pushing Russian forces out earlier this year.

The Western "yes, but" also includes permission to use air defense systems, artillery, and guided rockets, with a ban remaining on long-range missile strikes. Additional Western nations, including the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Northern Macedonia, have granted permission for the use of fighter jets and other Soviet-era aircraft to strike Russia.

The United Kingdom still has not allowed the use of its Storm Shadow missile, but it has previously authorized the use of attack drones on Russian soil. Turkey has also granted Ukraine permission to use its Bayraktar drones in its operations.

Ukraine has also received ground-based launchers for HIMARS and ATACMS missiles from the US, the UK, Germany, and Norway, which proved effective in strikes on Crimea and occupied Ukrainian regions. However, Russia's increasing use of advanced electronic jamming systems has rendered these satellite-guided missiles and GPS-guided artillery shells ineffective.

To counter this new challenge, Lieutenant General Ihor Romanenko stressed the need for Ukraine to develop its own means to suppress Russian electronic jamming and create its own jamming systems.

Analysts in Kyiv believe that containing Russia is the main goal in the coming months. The decision to grant limited permission to strike inside Russia follows constant bombings in Kharkiv and other border towns, as well as Russia's plans to conduct an offensive in northern Ukraine.

Ukraine is facing a dire shortage of servicemen, exacerbated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's government's postponement of mobilization and the retention of battle-weary veterans. The depletion of weapons and ammunition due to delays in Western supplies has further strained Ukraine's defense capabilities.

Efforts are underway to address these challenges, with teams of conscription and police officers detaining men in public places to bolster Ukraine's forces. The hope is that Ukraine will succeed in destroying Russian columns during their marching stage and neutralize artillery with multiple-launch rocket systems at the stage of their deployment.

As the situation continues to evolve, Ukraine remains committed to defending its sovereignty and countering Russian aggression, even as it faces the pressing need to strengthen its defense capabilities and ensure the safety of its people.