US officials have stated that the United States has never prohibited Ukraine from using provided weapons to shoot down military aircraft over Russian airspace if they pose a threat to Ukraine.
John Kirby, spokesperson for the US National Security Council, indicated in a June 4 press briefing that Washington allows Kyiv to use donated weapons to shoot down military aircraft over Russian airspace if they present a threat to Ukraine.
Late last month, the White House lifted restrictions on Ukraine using certain US-supplied weapons against the Russian border areas adjacent to Kharkiv and Sumy, following a Russian attack in Kharkiv on May 10.
Responding to journalists, Kirby emphasized that there had been “misunderstandings” regarding the US stance on permitting Ukraine to use US-provided weapons to attack targets in Russia.
Kirby clarified that the US “has never placed restrictions to prevent Ukraine from shooting down enemy aircraft, even if those planes are not necessarily within Ukrainian airspace.”
He affirmed that Ukraine “can shoot down Russian aircraft that Kyiv deems as posing an imminent threat. And they have done so. They have been doing this since the beginning of the conflict.”
Additionally, Kirby declined to confirm whether Ukraine had used US weapons for the first time to strike inside Russian territory. He stated that the US “does not have the capability to precisely monitor which targets Ukraine is engaging daily.”
Meanwhile, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan remarked that President Joe Biden’s decision to permit Ukraine to strike Russian territory near Kharkiv and Sumy with donated weapons was “common sense.”
Sullivan explained, “Russian forces are firing into Ukraine from just across the northern border of Kharkiv. Ukraine should have the right to retaliate, including with US-manufactured weapons, and the US permits Kyiv to use these weapons for that purpose.”
Previously, the Kyiv Post reported that Ukrainian forces acted within 24 hours after receiving the green light from the US, UK, Germany, and France to target inside Russia with donated weapons.
According to Ukrainian media, Kyiv purportedly launched dozens of precision-guided long-range rockets into Russian territory. Heavy artillery systems, troop concentrations, and at least one major bridge were reportedly targeted in the early morning attacks on June 2.
Russia has repeatedly warned the US and NATO about the potential for escalating tensions if the West allows Ukraine to use weapons to strike inside Russian territory.
President Joe Biden’s decision to permit Ukraine to use US weapons for counterattacks within Russian territory marks a significant shift, following Moscow’s warnings that such actions could lead to global conflict.
Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, described Biden’s decision as “a serious escalation of the conflict” and a sign that NATO has directly joined the conflict with Moscow. Russia has also warned that it will destroy any weapons used to attack its territory.
