The United States has not officially confirmed that Ukrainian forces are employing weapons supplied by Washington in strikes against targets inside Russian territory. This stance was conveyed during a press briefing by General Mark Milley, the Chief of Staff of the United States Armed Forces, as reported by Interfax. In explaining the position, the general highlighted that the U.S. government is cautious about how weapons provided to Ukraine are used, emphasizing that accountability and risk management are central to Washington’s policy in the ongoing conflict. While the Pentagon has not verified direct use in Russian strikes, the clarification underlines a broader framework in which American military aid is intended to aid Ukraine without expanding the conflict itself. [Citation: Interfax]
A spokesperson for the Pentagon echoed this line, stating, I can confidently say that we have urged the Ukrainians not to deploy U.S.-supplied weapons in attacks on Russian soil, because such use would complicate the strategic situation and raise the risk of unintended consequences. The message reflects a deliberate effort to balance assistance with the desire to avoid widening the war or provoking a broader confrontation. [Citation: Department of Defense]
According to Milley, the current approach from Washington centers on supporting Ukraine through a steady stream of arms and material aid, rather than engaging in direct combat operations. He stressed that there is no direct, formal conflict between the United States and Russia, a point often cited to describe the limited scope of U.S. involvement beyond diplomatic and logistical support. The clarification aims to reassure allies and partners about the nature of American engagement while outlining constraints designed to prevent escalation. [Citation: White House briefing]
Separately, the U.S. State Department indicated that officials were reviewing reports concerning a Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance unit operating in Russia’s Belgorod region and the potential use of American-supplied arms in such activities. The department’s statement underscored ongoing caution about how U.S.-origin equipment could be deployed in cross-border operations and the importance of maintaining clear boundaries to avoid unintended repercussions. [Citation: State Department briefing]
In the Rostov region, remarks from Vasily Golubev, a former regional governor, indicated that Russia’s air defense systems intercepted a Ukrainian missile, adding another layer to the narrative of ongoing air-to-ground activity in border areas. The comment reflects the persistent exchanges of fire and integrated air defense responses that characterize the front lines near Russia’s southwestern flank. [Citation: regional press coverage]
On May 25, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Belgorod, reported that a drone was shot down as it approached Belgorod city. He noted that air defenses were actively engaged in guarding the border area, reflecting the persistent drone and missile threats observed in this sector. Concurrently, Sergei Aksyonov, the president of the Republic of Crimea, asserted that six unmanned aerial vehicles were neutralized in Crimea on the preceding night, illustrating the broader, cross-regional nature of the incidents that have kept the military and security services on alert in the region. [Citation: regional authorities statements]