Russia – Ukraine: Biden allows the Ukrainian army to use American weapons to attack Russian territory for the first time

US officials said that US President Joe Biden, for the first time, allowed Ukraine to use US weapons to carry out attacks on Russian territory, specifically to defend the besieged city of Kharkiv.

A US official told the BBC: “The president recently directed his team to ensure that Ukraine is able to use US weapons for counterattack purposes in Kharkiv, so that Ukraine can respond to Russian forces attacking it or preparing to attack it.”

I mean this decision A shift in policy followed by the White House Since the beginning of the war launched by Vladimir Putin against Ukraine, it has responded to the intensification of the Russian attack on the second largest city in Ukraine.

But this decision does not change Washington’s policy of not allowing long-range attacks inside Russia.

“It is our policy to prohibit the use of the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). Long-range attacks inside Russia have not changed“The US official told the BBC.

Despite this, Moscow is likely to see the new measure as an escalation.

Russian forces have made gains in the Kharkiv region in recent weeks after a surprise attack in the area near the border with Russia.

American officials said that American missiles and launchers could be used – under strict standards – against Russian forces and artillery deployed across the border from Kharkiv and against Russian aircraft dropping bombs on the city from inside Russian territory.

When the BBC’s US partner, CBS, asked whether the new policy included attacking Russian aircraft, a US official said: “We never said… [a Ucrania] They cannot shoot down a Russian plane over Russian territory coming to attack them.

The White House’s decision comes after repeated requests by Ukraine – with NATO support – to approve this change.

The United Kingdom had previously indicated that it was open to easing restrictions About how Ukraine uses weapons provided by the West.

But Washington, which supplied most of the weapons to Ukraine, has resisted easing these restrictions for fear of escalation.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken hinted at this change during a visit to Moldova on Wednesday.

“Every step of the way, we’ve adapted and modified as necessary“, He said.

He added: “And this is exactly what we will do in the future.”