Ukraine has used US weapons to attack inside Russia in recent daysaccording to a Western official familiar with the matter.
The weapons were used under guidance recently approved by President Joe Biden, which allows US weapons to be used to attack inside Russia. for the limited purpose of defending Kharkivthe second largest city in Ukraine.
The official was not authorized to comment publicly on the sensitive matter and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Biden directive allows US-supplied weapons to be used to attack Russian forces who are attacking or preparing to attack. It does not change U.S. policy ordering Ukraine not to use ATACMS or long-range missiles and other munitions provided by the United States to attack offensively inside Russia, U.S. officials have said.
Ukrainian officials had intensified calls for the United States to allow kyiv forces defend against attacks coming from Russian territory. Kharkiv is located just 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the Russian border and has been the target of intense Russian attack.
By advancing into the northeastern Kharkiv region, Russian forces have taken advantage of a long delay in the replenishment of American military aid. Furthermore, Western Europe’s inadequate military production has slowed crucial deliveries to the battlefield for Ukraine.
On Tuesday, White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters that couldn’t confirm that Ukraine had used American weapons against targets in Russia.
“We’re just not in a position to know on a day-to-day basis exactly what the Ukrainians are shooting at,” Kirby said. “It’s certainly at a tactical level.”
According to a June 3 report from the Institute for the Study of War, Ukrainian forces attacked a Russian S-300/400 air defense battery in Belgorod Oblastprobably with the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, on June 1 or 2.
The air defense system was located approximately 60 kilometers (about 40 miles) from the current front line in northern Kharkiv Oblast and more than 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the city, which is within the range of HIMARS, the institute reported. .
Confirmation of the attacks comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Qatar, which along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates has been a key mediator in prisoner exchanges and other negotiations between Russia and Ukraine since the war began. .
