Biden allows Ukraine to hit some targets in Russia with US weapons
US officials have stated that President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to utilize American-provided weaponry to target locations in Russia, specifically in the vicinity of the Kharkiv region.
According to one official speaking to BBC News, directives have been issued to ensure that Ukraine can employ US weapons for “counter-fire purposes,” allowing them to retaliate against Russian forces either attacking them or preparing to do so.
In recent weeks, Russian forces have advanced in the Kharkiv region following an unexpected offensive in the area near the Russian border. Ukrainian officials reported casualties and injuries from Russian shelling of a residential building in a Kharkiv suburb on Friday.
Regarding the use of specific weaponry, the US official clarified to the BBC that the policy still prohibits employing the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) or conducting long-range strikes within Russian territory.
When questioned by CBS about the possibility of targeting Russian aircraft, another official indicated that Ukraine has not been prohibited from defending itself by downing Russian planes over Russian soil if they pose a threat.
At present, the White House and State Department have refrained from offering immediate comments on the matter. Earlier, the UK hinted at being receptive to relaxing restrictions on Ukraine’s utilization of Western-supplied weapons.
Despite concerns about escalating the conflict, several European leaders have also advocated for loosening restrictions on weapon usage. However, Washington, as the primary supplier of Ukraine’s weaponry, had previously resisted relaxing these limitations due to apprehensions regarding escalation.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hinted at the shift during a visit to Moldova on Wednesday.
“At every step along the way, we’ve adapted and adjusted as necessary,” he said.
“And so that’s exactly what we’ll do going forward.”
Russian forces appear to have recently taken advantage of a window of opportunity to push deeper into Ukrainian territory in Kharkiv as Kyiv waits for further Western weapons to arrive at the front.
At least 12 people were killed and dozens more were wounded last week after Russian forces hit a supermarket in the city of Kharkiv with two glide bombs.
Early on Friday, Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram that Russian shelling had struck a five-storey apartment block in the Novobavarskyi District of Kharkiv, destroying part of the building and causing a fire.
At least three people were killed and 16 were injured, including a 12-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl, both of whom were taken to hospital, he said.
The Ukrainian official accused Russian forces of targeting “exclusively civilian infrastructure” and using a “double-strike tactic”, hitting the site for a second time after paramedics and rescue workers had arrived.
