In a significant policy shift, the Biden administration has discreetly authorized Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia near the Kharkiv region using U.S.-provided weapons. This decision, confirmed by three U.S. officials and two others familiar with the matter, represents a major reversal aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities against increasing Russian aggression.
Context and Conditions of the Permission
Ukraine’s request to utilize American weapons for defensive strikes within the Russian border near Kharkiv emerged following a recent intensification of Russian offensives in the area. The new policy allows Ukraine to:
- Use U.S. weapons, such as rockets and rocket launchers, to intercept incoming Russian missiles targeting Kharkiv.
- Target Russian military forces amassing just over the border near the city.
- Strike Russian bombers preparing to launch attacks on Ukrainian territory.
However, Ukraine is restricted from using these weapons to:
- Hit civilian infrastructure.
- Launch long-range attacks, such as those using the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), deep inside Russian territory.
Policy Evolution and Rationale
The Biden administration initially resisted this move, concerned it would escalate the conflict by directly involving the U.S. However, deteriorating conditions on the battlefield, with Russia gaining ground in Kharkiv, prompted a reassessment. A senior U.S. official emphasized that the overall policy of not allowing long-range strikes inside Russia remains unchanged.
Strategic and Diplomatic Considerations
The decision aligns with recent statements and hints from U.S. officials:
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested that U.S. policy could adapt to evolving circumstances.
- National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby did not dismiss the possibility of policy changes.
This shift also comes in response to pressure from key U.S. allies like the United Kingdom and France, and bipartisan support from American lawmakers. Military briefings to Congress highlighted the strategic military benefits of relaxing the restrictions on Ukraine’s use of U.S. weapons.
International Reactions and Ukrainian Response
The Russian embassy in Washington has not commented on this development. Concerns persist among some officials about Ukraine’s past use of drones to strike military targets within Russia, which were sometimes unrelated to the ongoing invasion. The U.S. has firmly communicated to Kyiv that American weapons must target only Russian military sites directly linked to the invasion effort.
Ukrainian leaders, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have been advocating for this policy change, arguing that their defense of Kharkiv and broader national security is hindered without the ability to target Russian positions across the border. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov made a forceful case for this change in a recent conversation with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Conclusion
The Biden administration’s decision to permit limited strikes inside Russia marks a pivotal moment in the Ukraine conflict, reflecting both a tactical adjustment to battlefield realities and a nuanced diplomatic maneuver to support Ukraine’s defense without escalating the war to uncontrollable levels. As the situation evolves, this policy change underscores the complex balance the U.S. seeks to maintain in aiding Ukraine while managing broader geopolitical risks.
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