Ukraine Asks for U.S. Help in Striking Targets Inside Russia

Ukraine has asked the Biden administration to help identify targets in Russia for Kyiv to strike using its own weapons. It has also asked the U.S. to lift restrictions on the use of American provided weapons against military objectives inside Russia, U.S. and defense officials said.

The request comes as Russia had made its biggest territorial gains in Ukraine in nearly 18 months in the northeast region of Kharkiv. Other U.S. officials said that Ukraine’s request, which was made over the past week, was being reviewed.

If the U.S. were to agree to such changes, it could mark a major policy shift by the administration, which has long sought to reduce the risk of military escalation between Washington and Moscow while backing Ukraine. “They did ask [the United States] for help to strike into Russia,’’ Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr.told reporters traveling with him to Europe. “It wasn’t specific to a weapons system but additional help in striking the Russians.”

Russia’s assault across the border earlier this month has forced Ukraine to divert troops and resources from other parts of the country, putting strains on an already outmanned force that has been long waiting for additional U.S.-provided weapons.