The USA allowed strikes on the territory of the aggressor country of the Russian Federation with transferred weapons

The Office of the President of Ukraine has confirmed that the United States has authorized limited strikes on Russian territory using transferred weapons. This authorization, however, comes with specific restrictions.

In a statement to the British newspaper The Guardian on May 31, Serhiy Nikiforov, the press secretary for the President of Ukraine, revealed that Ukraine has received positive signals through diplomatic channels regarding the restricted use of American weapons in the border region near Kharkiv.

Washington's decision permits Ukraine to utilize the M142 Himars missile systems provided by the United States to target Russian military forces. "This will significantly enhance our capability to counter Russian attempts to cross the border," Nikiforov stated.

According to The Guardian, the Biden administration has relaxed its long-standing policy that prevented Ukraine from using American weapons against targets inside Russia. The new authorization allows Ukraine to strike back, but only in the vicinity of Kharkiv, where Russian forces are currently conducting a new offensive.

Russia struck Kharkiv again

Tonight, the enemy launched massive rocket attacks on the city of Kharkiv, causing widespread damage to residential buildings, outbuildings, vehicles, private enterprises, and trade facilities.

Explosions led to the destruction and fires at various locations, affecting civil infrastructure and igniting coniferous pine litter. There were five significant fire sources across different addresses, covering a total area of about 1,200 square meters. One of the rockets struck a five-story residential building, completely destroying the structures from the 3rd to the 5th floors of one of its entrances. This caused a fire that spread over an area of 80 square meters. Firefighters managed to rescue six people, including one child, from the collapsed building.

As of 8:40 a.m., the rocket attack resulted in the deaths of four people, with at least 24 others injured. Emergency search operations are ongoing at the site of the destroyed residential building.

Ukraine can use Netherlands' F-16s to strike inside Russia as self-defense - Dutch Minister

On May 31, Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot declared that the Netherlands would not object to Ukraine using Dutch-supplied F-16 fighter jets to strike targets within Russia as a form of self-defense. "If you have the right to self-defense, there are no borders for the use of weapons. This is a general principle," Bruins Slot stated at an informal NATO foreign ministers meeting in Prague, as reported by RFE/RL.

This announcement followed a similar statement from Denmark, which affirmed that Ukraine could utilize Danish-supplied F-16 jets against Russian military targets, asserting that such actions would comply with the rules of war.

Recently, Ukraine has intensified its calls for allies to permit strikes on Russian territory using Western-supplied weapons. Despite this, the Pentagon reiterated on May 30 that there has been no official change in U.S. policy, even after reports emerged suggesting the White House had quietly relaxed restrictions on Ukraine's use of American weapons for attacks within Russia. According to unnamed American officials cited by Politico, the Biden administration has sanctioned strikes on targets inside Russia, but only in areas close to Kharkiv.

Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren revealed during a press briefing in Vilnius that the Netherlands plans to start delivering its F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine this autumn, following Denmark's earlier transfers slated for the summer, as reported by Delfi on May 6. The Netherlands has committed to supplying Ukraine with 24 fourth-generation U.S.-made jets to strengthen Kyiv's Air Force.

In addition to the Netherlands and Denmark, Norway and Belgium have also pledged to provide Ukraine with numerous F-16 jets. These nations, along with the U.S., are leading an international coalition formed last year to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets and to train Ukrainian pilots.

Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren revealed during a press briefing in Vilnius that the Netherlands plans to start delivering its F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine this autumn, following Denmark's earlier transfers slated for the summer