World News | Ukraine Uses US Weapons to Strike Inside Russia, a Western Official Tells AP
Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. Ukraine has used US weapons to strike inside Russia in recent days, according to a Western official familiar with the matter.
Washington, Jun 5 (AP) Ukraine has used US weapons to strike inside Russia in recent days, according to a Western official familiar with the matter.
The weapons were used under recently approved guidance from President Joe Biden allowing American arms to be used to strike inside Russia for the limited purpose of defending Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city.
The official was not authorised to comment publicly on the sensitive matter and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Biden's directive allows for US-supplied weapons to be used to strike Russian forces that are attacking or preparing to attack. It does not change US policy that directs Ukraine not to use American-provided ATACMS or long-range missiles and other munitions to strike offensively inside Russia, US officials have said.
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Ukrainian officials had stepped up calls on the US to allow Kyiv's forces to defend themselves against attacks originating from Russian territory. Kharkiv sits just 20 kilometers from the Russian border and has come under intensified Russian attack.
In advancing in the northeast Kharkiv region, Russian forces have exploited a lengthy delay in the replenishment of US military aid. In addition, 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 he could not confirm that Ukraine had used U.S. weapons at targets in Russia.
“We're just not in a position on a day-to-day basis of knowing exactly what the Ukrainians are firing at what,” Kirby said. "It's certainly at a tactical level.” (AP)
(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)