Biden changes stance to allow Ukraine to fire US-supplied weapons into Russia

Joe Biden has allowed Ukraine to use some US-made weapons over one part of the Russian border, to allow Kyiv’s forces to defend against an offensive aimed at the city of Kharkiv, relaxing an important constraint on Ukraine’s able to defend itself.

“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 so Ukraine can hit back against Russian forces that are attacking them or preparing to attack them,” a US official said.

Limits on the use of US long-range weapons such as the army tactical missile system (ATACMS) will remain, however.

“Our policy with respect to prohibiting the use of ATACMS or long-range strikes inside of Russia has not changed,” the official said.

The statement suggests that the main impact of the policy change would be to allow Ukrainian US-supplied artillery to fire back at Russian batteries over the Russian border from Kharkiv region, which have had a withering effect on Ukrainian defences around Kharkiv city.

The change will also allow the Ukrainian army to target concentrations of Russian forces massing on the border in Russia’s Belgorod region.

More details soon …