Ukraine to use US weapons: President Joe Biden has given Ukraine permission to use American weapons to carry out targeted strikes inside Russian territory, which is a dramatic departure from long-standing policy, CNN reported.
Two people familiar with the situation in the US say that this move comes as tensions rise as Russian forces make big gains near Kharkiv, a city in northeastern Ukraine that is close to the Russian border.
The new directive says that Ukraine can use weapons provided by the United States to fight back against Russian forces or sites close to Kharkiv.
“The president recently directed his team to ensure that Ukraine is able to use US-supplied weapons for counterfire purposes in Kharkiv so Ukraine can hit back at Russian forces hitting them or preparing to hit them,” a source told CNN.
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The official stated that there are no intentions to broaden the approved region; rather, this policy revision is limited to the area around Kharkiv. The Ukrainian government has not requested authorization to launch strikes outside of this area.
According to the official, Kyiv requested this policy adjustment in reaction to Russian forces that have been advancing in recent weeks. Now, Ukrainian forces have the authority to strike Russian military facilities, ammo dumps, and logistical centres located in western Russia, across the border from Kharkiv.
CNN said that the Biden administration has been very against Ukraine using its most powerful weapons, such as the ATACMS missiles, which have a range of up to 200 miles (300 km).
During a visit to Moldova, Blinken said, “Another hallmark of our support for Ukraine over the last two years has been to adapt the conditions have changed.” “I am confident we will continue to do that.”
This policy change is in line with previous remarks made by European leaders, such as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron emphasized that to protect Ukrainian territory, Russia’s military locations must be neutralized. Macron said, “Russian bases are attacking Ukrainian soil.”
“We think that we should allow them to neutralise the military sites from which the missiles are fired and, basically, the military sites from which Ukraine is attacked.”
Reiterating that Ukraine has the right to defend itself within the bounds established by the nations providing the weaponry and by international law, Scholz reiterated Macron’s remarks, according to CNN.
