Biden Approves Ukraine’s Use of U.S. Weapons for Strikes Inside Russia

The Biden administration has made a bold decision to allow Ukraine to strike inside Russia with U.S.-made weapons in an effort to push back against Russia’s attacks in the Kharkiv area, according to senior American officials.

The move comes after weeks of discussions with Ukrainian officials following Russia’s major assault on Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine. The Russian military has been targeting the area around Kharkiv with artillery and missiles launched from inside Russian territory, prompting the Ukrainians to request greater support in defending the city.

President Biden’s permission for Ukraine to strike military sites in Russia is specifically aimed at countering the attacks on the Kharkiv area, U.S. officials clarified. However, the administration’s policy prohibiting Ukraine from using U.S.-made weapons for “long range” attacks inside Russia remains unchanged.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken hinted at the decision during a recent trip to Moldova, stating that the U.S. would “adapt and adjust” to battlefield conditions. The leaders of NATO, France, and Germany had also urged the U.S. to allow Ukraine to use American-made weapons to strike in Russia.

The Pentagon will provide Ukraine with specific guidelines on what targets it can strike in Russia, including artillery, missile launchers, and potentially Russian aircraft releasing glide bombs at Kharkiv from inside Russian airspace. Ukrainian officials are eager to utilize American-made weapons to target Russian aircraft in Russia’s airspace and air bases.

This decision marks a significant shift in the Biden administration’s approach to the conflict in Ukraine and could have far-reaching implications for the ongoing crisis in the region.