Biden secretly authorizes Ukraine strikes on Russian-held areas

Joe Biden secretly permitted Ukraine to strike targets within areas controlled by Russia using weapons supplied by the US, Politico reported on Thursday. The White House stipulates that the approval applies only to the area near Russian-occupied Kharkiv.

"The president recently directed his team to ensure that Ukraine is able to use U.S. weapons for counter-fire purposes in Kharkiv so Ukraine can hit back at Russian forces hitting them or preparing to hit them," an anonymous American official stated.

He added that the policy banning attacks using American long-range weapons on Russian territory "has not changed."

Ukraine will be able to use American missiles and launchers to shoot down Russian missiles flying toward Kharkiv, target aircraft attacking Ukrainian territory, and strike at Russian troop formations gathered near the border.

However, Ukrainians will not be able to strike civilian infrastructure or use long-range missiles to hit targets deep within Russia.

This is "a major reversal that will help Ukraine to better defend its second-largest city," Politico assesses. According to the portal, concerns have emerged within the Biden administration that this could escalate the conflict through more direct US involvement in the war. However, Ukraine's deteriorating situation on the battlefield prompted the President to change his mind.

A source for the portal adds that Ukraine approached the Biden administration for such approval after a series of attacks on Kharkiv carried out by the Russians last week.

Despite anonymous officials conveying the policy change to the press, it has not yet been confirmed officially. When asked about it less than two hours earlier, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh claimed the policy had not changed.