White House confirms Ukraine authorised to strike Russia from Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts with US-supplied weapons

The White House has confirmed its authorisation for Ukraine to use US-supplied weapons on Russian territory from the Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts of Ukraine.

Source: Ukrinform news agency, citing Michael Carpenter, Director for European Affairs of the White House National Security Council, during a telephone briefing

Quote: "We've been very clear that this authorisation to use [US-supplied weapons – ed.] allows Ukrainians to return fire on Russian positions right across the border in Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts."

Details: Carpenter emphasised that this would prevent Russia from using its side of the border as a safe haven for its forces launching attacks on Ukrainian territory.

Background: 

• Jake Sullivan, National Security Adviser to US President Joe Biden, said that Ukrainians had used the permission to strike Russian territory with US weapons near the border, and the momentum of the Russian military operation in Kharkiv Oblast had stalled.
• Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have estimated that the limited authorisation to hit targets in Russia with the weapons provided by the US has reduced Russia's safe space by 16%.

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