Ukraine not prohibited to strike Russia with Finnish weapons, MoD says

Illustrative photo (Photo: Getty Images)

Ukraine can use the weapons provided by Finland on the territory of Russia, Helsinki did not establish any prohibitions, according to the Minister of Defense of Finland Antti Häkkänen.

The leadership of the parliamentary defense committee in Finland has also stated that the country has not imposed any restrictions on its assistance in the field of armaments, and Ukraine can use the weapons provided by Finland on the territory of Russia.

According to Defense Minister Häkkänen, restrictions on the use of weapons have mainly been imposed by countries that have provided Ukraine with long-range weapon systems.

The issue arose when the future commander of the Estonian Defense Forces, Andrus Merilo, stated that Western countries had made a mistake by restricting Ukraine’s use of weapons only for strikes on occupied territory.

Strikes on Russian military objects

Chairman of the parliamentary defense committee Jukka Kopra said that Ukraine should have the right to use weapons against military objects on Russian soil.

Deputy chairman of the defense committee Mikko Savola says that the weapons provided by Finland can in principle be used for strikes on Russian soil.

However, he points out that the range of the weapons provided by Finland is less than, for example, that of long-range missiles.

NATO’s position

The Finnish Defense Forces have stated that the political will of NATO and other Western countries, as well as the condition of military assistance, is that Western weapons cannot be used in attacks on Russian territory.

Journalists also asked NATO whether NATO members had given instructions to Ukraine on how and where military aid could be used.

In response, it was stated that NATO’s position is that Ukraine has the right to self-defense, including the right to strike Russian military objects outside Ukraine.

Not the first statement from NATO

Recently, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated that Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilots would have the right to strike legitimate military targets in Russia.

The Secretary General said that the war in Ukraine is an aggressive war, and Kyiv has the right to self-defense, including striking legitimate Russian military targets outside Ukraine.