US changes rules on Ukraine firing long range missiles into Russia

Ukraine’s military can use US-supplied long-range missiles to strike targets deeper inside Russia if it is acting in self-defence, the Pentagon said on Thursday.

The US had previously maintained a policy of not allowing Ukraine to use the weapons to hit targets inside Russia for fear of further escalating the war with Russia. 

But, Joe Biden had earlier loosened those restrictions to help Kyiv defend the eastern city of Kharkiv from a relentless barrage of Russian missiles. 

Moscow has been firing on Ukrainian targets from inside its border, which it treats as a “safe zone,” said Maj Gen Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary.

“As we see those forces conducting those types of operations from across the border, we’ve explained Ukraine can and does have the right to fire back to defend themselves,” Mr Ryder said.

It comes as Ukraine launched a major drone assault on “military objects” in Russian territory, targeting oil refineries, drone facilities and radar stations. 

However, Russia continues to retaliate and is said to be launching “massive frontal assaults” around the town of Chasiv Yar, according to a Ukrainian military brigade who described the situation there as “extremely difficult”. 

Chasiv Yar has become a flashpoint on the Donetsk front line as its capture could accelerate Russian advances in the industrial region.