Before the US allowed Ukrainian armed forces to use Western weapons to strike Russian territory, more of 90,000 Russian soldiers were preparing for a new offensive along the border.
According to Associated Press data, since the end of May, Ukraine has managed to attack Russian troops and air defense systems 20 km from the border in the Kharkiv region. The Ukrainian brigades said that the HIMARS missile systems were launched just a few hours after receiving the permission.
"The stakes were high at the time, as Ukrainian military leaders expected another attack aimed at distracting troops from other fierce fighting in the Donetsk region.
First Deputy Defense Minister Ivan Gavrylyuk told The Associated Press that at least 90,000 Russian troops deep inside Russian territory were preparing for a new offensive,", writes AP.
One of the fighters with the call sign "Hephaestus" tells the publication about the first hours when the missile strikes were authorized.
"HIMARS didn't shut up all day," he said. "Ukrainian forces from the first days managed to destroy entire columns of troops along the border who were waiting for an order to enter Ukraine.
The dynamic changed almost immediately, allowing Ukrainian forces to stabilize this part of the front line. Previously, Ukrainian armed forces could only repel oncoming infantry attacks; now they can use more artillery against the Russian firing points.
At the same time, Ukrainian officials hope to convince US allies to allow the use of ATACMS against specific targets.
"We could attack the command posts of the Russian brigade and the entire northern group, as they are located 100-150 km from the front line," said "Hephaestus". "Conventional munitions will not reach them. With it, we can do a lot to destroy their command posts.
The US has authorized Ukraine to use American weapons to hit any Russian forces that attack across the border, not just those near Kharkiv Oblast.
At the same time, writes the "Washington Post", Ukrainian officials complain that the US has banned Ukraine from firing at a distance of more than 100 km from the border.
This prevents Ukraine from striking key Russian air bases from which aircraft carrying aerial bombs take off.