Staff Reports
The Biden administration has given Ukraine the OK to use American-made weapons for limited strikes inside Russia, a move that marks a significant shift in policy. Previously, the administration had been hesitant to allow offensive actions with U.S. weapons, concerned that it could escalate the conflict. However, at the request of Kyiv, the administration granted permission for Ukraine to utilize American weapons to defend the Kharkiv region.
While there are restrictions in place regarding the use of American weapons, Ukraine wasted no time in taking advantage of the new opportunity. According to a Ukrainian member of Parliament, Ukrainian forces used U.S. weapons to carry out a strike on a military facility in Russia.
With This Decision, Biden May Have Brought the US 'Dangerously Close' to World War III https://t.co/z36NKOsxaB
— JB (@JBRawhide) June 5, 2024
Yehor Chernev, the deputy chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament’s committee on national security, defense, and intelligence, revealed that Ukrainian forces targeted a military facility in the Belgorod region, located about 20 miles into Russia, using a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). This is the first time a Ukrainian official has publicly acknowledged the use of American weapons to fire into Russia since the ban was lifted by President Biden.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson believes that the current permissions for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to use US weapons from the Biden administration are not enough.
Washington must stop "micromanaging the war effort in Ukraine" and Mr. Johnson plans to raise… pic.twitter.com/sZtk4OeH1C
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) June 5, 2024
Following the strikes, Russia issued a warning to U.S. officials, cautioning them against underestimating the potential consequences of their actions. The situation has sparked concern on social media, with many fearing that the Biden administration’s decision could lead to a dangerous escalation and even risk triggering a world war. Critics have voiced their unease and criticized the administration’s approach to the situation, accusing it of fueling tensions and endangering global stability.
