Biden authorizes limited Ukrainian strikes in Russia using US-supplied weapons

President Joe Biden partially lifted the ban Ukraine using U.S.-supplied weapons for strikes in Russia, three U.S. officials told CBS News.

Ukraine could use these weapons on the Russian side of the border, near the besieged Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, against concentrations of Russian troops and Russian artillery, a US official said. Asked if that included Russian planes, the official said: “We never told them that they couldn't shoot down a Russian plane over Russian soil that was coming to attack them.”

It is not yet clear whether US weapons have been used so far under the new guidelines. “It’s up to [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] It’s up to Zelensky to decide and announce,” another US official said.

Speaking during a visit to Moldova on Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken provided insight into the changing U.S. position, saying: “At every step of the way, we have adapted and adjusted as necessary. And that's exactly what we will do. go forward.”

“The president recently directed his team to ensure that Ukraine is able to use U.S.-supplied weapons for counterfire purposes in the Kharkiv region, so that Ukraine can retaliate against Russian forces that attack them – or prepare to attack them,” he added. » said a US official. “Our policy regarding prohibiting the use of ATACMS – or long-range strikes inside Russia – has not changed.”

There has been public pressure from NATO and other European leaders, who support allowing Ukraine to use weapons supplied to it more broadly.