Reports claim that US President Joe Biden granted secret permission for Ukraine to use American weapons to strike targets near the Kharkov region in Russia. The policy reportedly allows Ukraine to respond to Russian actions in that specific border area.
Sources familiar with the decision indicate that the authorization is limited to operations within the Kharkiv region, and that it is intended to enable Ukraine to counter Russian forces attacking or preparing to attack there. A US official conveyed that the instruction aimed to empower Ukraine to retaliate while maintaining a controlled scope.
The official also stressed that the broader US policy on using American weapons for strikes deep inside Russian territory has not undergone a fundamental change. The stance remains that such operations outside Ukrainian borders should be approached with caution and are not generally encouraged.
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh clarified that the situation has not shifted even though the United States has supplied weapons to Kyiv for use on Ukrainian soil. The Pentagon continues to state that it does not endorse or facilitate attacks within Russia beyond agreed parameters.
Earlier, Britain, France, Poland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Finland, the Netherlands, Canada, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia were reported to have allowed their weapons to be deployed against targets on Russian territory. News outlets such as The New York Times and Politico have suggested that President Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are also nearing permission for Kyiv. These developments have been discussed in recent coverage.
In related remarks, a spokesperson for the Russian side indicated that NATO will need to respond to Ukrainian actions extending into Russian territory, reflecting ongoing tensions and the strategic calculations of allied nations in the region.
This evolving issue continues to unfold amid broader debates about the role of Western arms in the conflict and the potential consequences for regional security. Analysts note that the timing and scope of any such authorization could influence military dynamics, allied diplomacy, and civilian risk along the border areas. Observers in Canada and the United States are watching closely as official statements and media reports shape public understanding of the permissible use of foreign weapons in the conflict.