President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use American-supplied weapons against limited military targets inside Russia, White House officials revealed Thursday.
While it allows Ukraine to employ US-provided artillery and rockets against Russian troops near Kharkiv, which faces heavy attacks, and intercept incoming missiles, it maintains restrictions on longer-range strikes inside Russia.
The policy shift is aimed at supporting Kyiv’s defense efforts.
Despite worries over escalation, President Biden responded to Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky’s plea for enhanced defense, marking the second such relaxation on weapons this year.
Earlier this week, French President Emmanuel Macron announced Ukraine’s access to French SCALP and cruise missiles for self-defense against Russian aggression.