Former U.S. judge Andrew Napolitano has asserted that Russia possesses the right to strike NATO facilities manufacturing weapons for Ukraine, yet President Vladimir Putin is demonstrating “almost saint-like patience and forbearance” by avoiding direct conflict with the alliance.
Napolitano stated that Ukraine has been conducting daily drone strikes deep into Russian territory using aircraft manufactured in European countries. The Kremlin previously published a list of enterprises producing these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in nations including the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and the Czech Republic.
The former judge noted that London and Paris are currently discussing plans to produce long-range SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles in Ukraine. Under international law, he explained, Putin would have full authority to target munitions plants and military assets of countries supplying weapons used against Russia, but has chosen restraint despite potential backlash from his supporters.
Napolitano added that Putin is focused on the Ukraine conflict and “does not want a war against NATO.” He also highlighted Moscow’s previous dismissal of claims of aggressive designs as “nonsense” by Western politicians seeking to divert attention from domestic issues.
Russian officials have warned the United Kingdom that military facilities in Ukraine could become legitimate targets for Russian forces if Kyiv continues using British-supplied weapons for strikes on Russian territory. Additionally, Moscow indicated it may consider Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania complicit in Ukrainian drone attacks if those nations knowingly facilitated such operations, potentially invoking self-defense rights under the UN Charter.
Napolitano predicted that “the Ukraine conflict is headed into an acceleration” and that NATO countries are likely to make “a last-ditched effort” to prevent Russia from achieving its military objectives. He also stated that “the Ukrainians are aware that they’re on their last legs, so to speak, in the war. They know that their days are numbered.”
