The United States has authorized Ukraine to use weapons supplied by it to strike on Russian territory , but only near the heavily shelled Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. This was reported by Reuters, quoted by BTA, citing an official American representative.
The agency notes that this decision marks a reversal in the position of President Joe Biden, who until now steadfastly refused to allow Ukraine to use American weapons for such strikes.
Biden has partially lifted the ban on Ukraine using US weapons to strike Russian territory to defend the city of Kharkiv, the Associated Press reported, citing US officials.
"Politico" also reported today that US President Joe Biden has secretly given Ukraine permission to strike with US weapons on Russian territory, but only in the Kharkiv region, citing a US official as well as two other sources of his own, familiar with this plan.
"The President recently directed his team to ensure that Ukraine will be able to use US weapons for retaliatory fire in the city of Kharkiv so that Ukraine can retaliate against Russian forces that strike them or are preparing to hit them", reported "Politico". The publication refers to a US official who added that the policy to allow the use of long-range weapons on the territory of Russia "has not changed".
In the material of "Politico" it does not say when Biden gave that permission.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of the threat of global conflict if Kiev's Western allies allow him to use weapons they have supplied to strike Russian territory, something the Ukrainian government is urging its allies to do. permit.
The United States has said it does not encourage or enable the use of American weapons in direct attacks against Russia, but when asked about Washington's position on the issue, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said yesterday that it would "adapt and adjust" ;.
Meanwhile, at least three people were killed and 16 others were injured last night in Kharkiv after Russian missiles hit three sites, local authorities said early this morning, Reuters quoted BTA as saying.
The head of the regional military administration, Oleg Sinegubov, said that Russian forces used the "double penetration" technique, as has happened in recent attacks, launching a second strike soon after the initial attack on a target.
Kharkov police chief Volodymyr Tymoshko told the public TV station "Suspilne" that the Russian rockets hit a 5-story apartment block, a shop in a 3-story building and a sewing workshop.
According to "Suppression" the initial Russian strike was delivered by a missile. At least three floors of the 5-story building were destroyed.
Regional Governor Sinegubov said that at least two children were among the injured in the attack, which took place around midnight. He warned that more civilians may have been buried under the debris after the strike.
Kharkov Mayor Igor Terekhov said several more strikes followed the initial attack and reported a series of explosions.
Kharkov resisted the Russian advance at the start of the invasion, but in recent weeks has been repeatedly shelled in Russian attacks.
Moscow denies that it is deliberately targeting civilians. Thousands of people have been killed and injured since February 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.