In an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) published on 9 September, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said the Netherlands has authorized Ukraine to use Dutch-supplied weapons, including its F-16 fighter jets, for strikes on military targets deep inside Russian territory.
When asked if Ukraine can use the Dutch-supplied weapons for deep strikes inside Russia, Brekelmans said,
“Ukraine is allowed to use our weapons on Russian territory to defend itself in accordance with international law. Kyiv has a right to self-defense. And if the country is attacked from border areas or from Russian airfields, then it can take aim at military targets. The same applies to enemy missiles – these can also be intercepted with our weapons over Russia.”
Asked if Amsterdam has imposed any range restrictions, the minister clarified that international law is not restricted by distance:
“The right to self-defense does not stop 100 kilometers from the border,” Brekelmans explained.
The Dutch Defense Minister also confirmed that the same policy applies to the Dutch-supplied F-16 fighter jets.
“We trust that they will use the fighter jets in accordance with international law. And so far, they have done so,” he said, implying that Ukraine does not use the jets to hit civilian targets.
The Dutch minister declined to provide operational details about the current use of F-16s by Ukraine, citing security concerns. However, he did mention that the next batch of air-to-air missiles and spare parts for the F-16s would be delivered soon.
The minister says that the Netherlands is encouraging other allies to lift their restrictions on weapon use. He suggested that if countries are unwilling to remove all limitations, they could at least make exceptions for strikes against Russian military airfields or fighter jets amid Russia’s escalated air attacks, including glide bomb strikes.
Brekelmans emphasized the importance of allowing Ukraine to defend itself against Russian attacks, particularly highlighting the threat of glide bombs launched from fighter jets. He stated,
“Either we accept that Moscow can carry out its glide bomb attacks undisturbed, or we allow Kyiv to defend itself.”
Related:
- UK’s Shapps urges PM Starmer to let Ukraine strike Russia with Storm Shadows
- Ukraine’s new Foreign Minister urges allies to lift restrictions on long-range weapon use against Russia
- Ukraine needs long-range weapons, permission to hit targets deep inside Russia, Zelenskyy says at Ramstein
- ATACMS scarcity influences US ban on Ukraine’s deep strikes inside Russia, Pentagon’s Singh says
- Reuters: US close to agreeing on JASSM long-range missiles for Ukraine
