The Russian leadership deems it necessary to establish a buffer zone to ensure its security. They stated that a buffer zone along the Ukrainian border is vital for Russia to protect its interior regions from artillery strikes by the Ukrainian army. Moreover, this is not just a tactical objective but also a strategic goal that extends beyond the current conflict. The width of this buffer zone, serving defensive purposes, will depend on the type of weapons supplied to Kyiv by countries indirectly at war with Russia.
In other words, the more long-range weapons the West provides to Kyiv, the further Russia will extend this defensive zone westward. If advanced ballistic missiles are deployed, this zone could stretch as far as the Polish border.
Translated and edited by L Earth