Ukraine’s military has been granted permission by the U.S. to utilize longer-range missiles to target locations inside Russia beyond the front lines near Kharkiv, under the condition that Kyiv is acting in self-defense, as confirmed by the Pentagon.
President Joe Biden initially relaxed restrictions on the use of U.S.-provided munitions by Ukraine to offer additional defense capabilities for the eastern city of Kharkiv, which has been under constant attack by Russian missiles. Prior to this decision, the U.S. had maintained a policy prohibiting Ukraine from employing the weapons it received to strike targets within Russia, fearing an escalation of the conflict.
Russia has been launching attacks on Ukrainian sites from within its own borders, essentially treating its territory as a “safe zone,” according to Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder.
Ryder emphasized that Ukraine has the right to retaliate in self-defense against forces operating from across the border. This statement was made in response to Russia's continued aggression and incursions into Ukrainian territory.
In a related development, the White House announced an expedited delivery of air defense interceptor missiles to Ukraine by diverting shipments originally intended for other allied nations. This decision comes as a response to the heightened Russian assaults on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
The U.S. had been consistently supplying interceptors for Ukraine's air defense systems, including Patriot missile batteries and the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS). However, the urgent need for additional resources has arisen due to the increased missile and drone attacks by the Russian military on cities and critical infrastructure in anticipation of the approaching winter.
The expedited shipments are set to include hundreds of Patriot missiles to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities against the escalating Russian aggression.
