In a significant policy shift, US President Joe Biden has quietly authorized Ukraine to use American-supplied weapons to target military sites inside Russia, specifically those supporting the offensive against Kharkiv. This decision, confirmed by four US officials, marks a departure from Biden’s earlier stance that restricted Ukraine from using US weaponry for strikes within Russian territory.
The US officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stated that Biden’s authorization is limited to targets near the Russian border with the Kharkiv region, where Russian forces have been active since May 10. “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,” one official explained. This move aims to enable Ukraine to defend itself more effectively against Russian attacks.
Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, lies just 30 kilometers from the Russian border, making it a strategic focal point in the ongoing conflict. Russia has been building up forces in the northern part of the Kharkiv region, though Ukrainian commanders believe these numbers are insufficient for a major offensive. This policy adjustment follows another quiet relaxation earlier this year when Biden permitted the transfer of long-range missiles known as ATACMS to Ukraine. However, the current authorization does not extend to deep strikes inside Russia using these or other long-range US weapons, nor does it imply approval of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian petroleum facilities.
Alexander Vindman, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and former director for European affairs at the White House National Security Council, praised Biden’s decision. Vindman, a vocal advocate for stronger support to Ukraine, said the policy shift “unties Ukraine’s hands” and allows it to better defend itself. “Of course, it’s the right move,” he asserted. The US has been the largest supplier of weapons to Ukraine since the full-scale Russian invasion began in February 2022. The recent authorization allows Ukraine to strike Russian military targets that directly impact the conflict in the Kharkiv region, a significant step in the ongoing war effort.
Despite this shift, the US policy still restricts the use of ATACMS for strikes deep inside Russia. The Biden administration aims to balance providing substantial military support to Ukraine while avoiding actions that could provoke a broader conflict with Russia. Russia’s embassy in Washington and its mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned NATO members against allowing Ukraine to use their weapons to attack Russian territory, renewing threats of nuclear escalation. However, many experts view Putin’s warnings as bluster, noting his past failures to act on similar threats and his commitment of the bulk of Russia’s conventional forces to the war in Ukraine. US Representative Gerry Connolly, a Democratic member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, dismissed Putin’s threats. “I don’t think we can or should be bullied by Vladimir Putin,” Connolly said. “Is he really willing to risk nuclear war and a conflict with NATO?” Connolly, alongside other lawmakers, has been advocating for the Biden administration to allow Ukraine greater latitude in using US weapons to target strategic sites inside Russia.
The recent authorization reflects growing pressure from NATO allies and US lawmakers who argue that Ukraine should be allowed to strike back more effectively against Russian military operations. Countries like Britain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, and Germany have relaxed their own restrictions on the use of their supplied arms, urging similar actions from the US. The upcoming NATO summit in July poses a crucial moment for Biden. Analysts suggest that with Russian forces potentially advancing in Kharkiv, Biden’s decision to relax restrictions on US weapons use could strengthen Ukraine’s position and demonstrate NATO’s commitment to supporting Ukraine. This move also aligns with broader NATO efforts to enhance collective defense and deter further Russian aggression. In summary, Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to use U.Sweapons for limited strikes inside Russia marks a notable shift in US policy. It aims to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities amid ongoing Russian offensives, while maintaining careful limits to avoid escalating the conflict into a broader war.
