President Biden has given Ukraine the green light to use US-provided weapons to hit some targets in Russian territory, according to a US official.
“The President recently directed his team to ensure that Ukraine is able to use US-supplied weapons for counter-fire purposes in the Kharkiv region so Ukraine can hit back against Russian forces that are attacking them or preparing to attack them,” the US official said Thursday.
The official noted, however, that Ukraine will not be allowed to use long-range US weapons to hit military targets deep inside Russian territory.
The US-supplied Army Tactical Missile System, for instance, can make strikes at a range of 200 miles.
“Our policy with respect to prohibiting the use of ATACMS or long range strikes inside of Russia has not changed,” the US official said.
The announcement marks a shift in long standing US policy, which prevented Ukraine from using American firepower to hit Russian troops and military installations on Russian soil.
The restriction was put in place over the Biden administration’s fears that American weapons killing Russians in Russia would lead to an escalation in the war.
The change in policy comes as Russian troops have made advances on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv.
The northeastern Ukrainian city sits just 30 miles south of Russia’s border with the war-torn country and has recently seen some of the most intense fighting of the 27-month-long conflict.
In recent weeks, the Kremlin has touted its military advancements in the region, claiming to have captured villages around Kharkiv as part of a broad push into the region that would allow it to get within artillery range of the city.
Russian troops began their offensive on the region on May 10.
Since then, the US has announced some $675 million in military aid for Ukraine, in the form of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and ammunition; Howitzer artillery rounds; High-speed Anti-radiation missiles (HARMs) and other “urgently needed” pieces of offensive and defensive equipment and ammunition.
The Biden administration has provided Ukraine with five aid packages of weapons pulled from existing Defense Department stockpiles since Congress approved $60 billion in additional funding last month.
Congressional lawmakers were briefed by US military officials in early May about the “value” in easing restrictions on Ukraine’s use of U.S. weapons, according to Politico.
The formal decision to change the policy came only in the “last few days,” a US official told the outlet, in response to a request made by Ukraine after Russia’s offensive on Kharkiv commenced.
