Biden admin eases limits on Ukraine using US weapons to strike back at Russia: Reports

The Biden administration has shifted its policies against Ukraine using American-made weapons in its war with Russia, according to news reports on Thursday, allowing the European country to use the weapons to fend off incoming attacks in the area around the city of Kharkiv.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken hinted that changes in American policy when it comes to the war in Russia could be coming on Wednesday. The United States was previously strict about not allowing Ukraine to use American weapons on Russian targets, in an effort to avoid dragging the U.S. into the war. The U.S. has provided Ukraine with Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles, among other weapons.

The European country can now use U.S. rockets and rocket launchers to stop Russian missiles fired toward Kharkiv, and fire the rockets at troops gathering just over the border, according to Politico, speaking to three U.S. officials and "two other people familiar with the move." But they cannot fire at civilian infrastructure or hit military targets deep inside the other country.

"The president recently directed his team to ensure that Ukraine is able to use U.S.-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,” an unnamed U.S. official told The Hill.

The new change does not impact the use of ATACMS or long-range strikes inside of Russia, the official said. But it comes after Ukraine urged the U.S. to ease some of its policies after Russia’s offensive on Kharkiv began earlier this month.

The changes comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Tuesday that using western weapons on Russian territories could escalate the war. U.S. defense officials have maintained that they do not support an escalation in the war, but Blinken said the U.S. would provide Ukraine with the necessary weapons to protect itself, and that Ukraine could decide how to defend itself.