Russia has strongly condemned US President Joe Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to launch an attack inside Russian territory using US weapons.
However, as Russia made major advances around the city in the northeastern portion of the nation near to the Russian border, Biden restricted the use of the weapons, meaning Ukraine can only hit targets over the border close to Kharkiv, according to two US officials.
“The president recently directed his team to ensure that Ukraine can use US-supplied weapons for counterfire purposes in Kharkiv so Ukraine can hit back at Russian forces hitting them or preparing to hit them,” one of the officials said.
A long-standing policy and mounting international pressure from close US allies to back Ukraine led to the new law amendment.
“But it is limited to the area around Kharkiv, and Ukraine has not requested permission beyond that, the official said, adding that they do not “anticipate the US widening the area allowed.”
According to the official, Kiev requested that Washington alter its strategy just a few weeks ago, at which time Russian soldiers began to advance. US-supplied artillery and rockets can now be used to attack Russian forces, ammo stores, and logistical centres across the border from Kharkiv in western Russia. The longest-range missiles known as ATACMS, which can attack targets 200 miles or 300 km away, are another powerful weapon that Ukraine has been denied access to launch into Russia. However, the Biden administration is preventing Ukraine from using these missiles.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
