Ukraine asks US for more help attacking Russia — moves that would clearly escalate war
Ukraine has turned to the United States for help identifying potential targets within Russia.
The embattled country is also seeking the Biden administration’s blessing to use weapons provided by the U.S. against Russian military installations in what would be a clear escalation of the war, The Wall Street Journal reported.
It is unclear if the U.S. will help Ukraine pinpoint targets in Russia for military strikes, or if it will lift restrictions on the use of American-supplied weapons against military objectives.
The requests come as Russia steps up its incursion into Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city.
U.S. officials said Ukraine’s requests were being reviewed.
The requests, if granted, would mark a clear shift in U.S. policy, as the White House has remained hesitant to escalate tensions with the Kremlin amid its support of Ukraine.
A White House spokesman said current U.S. policy doesn’t support providing such targeting assistance or using American-weapons inside Russia, the report said.
Ukraine continues targeting military facilities in Russia and Crimea as well as the nation’s energy infrastructure with kamikaze drones, reported the Kyiv Independent.
Russia claimed Saturday it had downed 102 aerial drones and six naval drones, but acknowledged an attack on a power plant near Sevastopol was successful, cutting power in the region.
Drone strikes also disabled an oil refinery in Tuapse, Russia, officials said.
