The ban on the use of Western weapons in Russian territory prevented Ukraine from destroying the Russian air fleet.

At the beginning of this summer, Ukraine lost the opportunity to destroy dozens of Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers because of the ban on strikes using Western long-range weapons inside Russia. The Russian military was then able to openly station dozens of Su-34s at the Malshevo Air Base near Voronezh, approximately 160 km (100 miles) from the border with Ukraine. These planes carry guided aerial bombs, which the aggressor state has consistently used to attack Ukraine.

Since the airbase is well protected, Ukraine asked the US for permission to hit it with long-range ATACMS missiles. However, the Biden administration responded with a categorical refusal. While Kyiv and Washington were negotiating, the Russians made a rare anticipatory decision – they moved planes from Malshevo and other airfields near the border.

As a result, the Armed Forces of Ukraine intensified their attacks on other Russian airfields, exclusively using Ukrainian-made weapons. However, Russia immediately moved its fleet to airfields far from the border, complicating this task.