“Not encouraged and not allowed”: The US State Department responded to the strikes on airfields in Russia
According to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, the Armed Forces have everything to protect the country. The American military will not prevent Ukraine from developing its long-range strike potential, the Pentagon assures.
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The United States did not encourage or give permission to the Armed Forces of Ukraine to strike targets in Russia. This was stated by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken at a briefing, commenting on drone strikes on Russian airfields, the BBC radio station reported.
Blinken considers it important to understand what Ukrainians go through every day, who live under conditions of Russian aggression. The Ukrainian military has the equipment needed to protect the country and freedom, he added.
The State Secretary accused Russia of trying to disable Ukraine's civilian infrastructure and leave people without heat, water and electricity in winter.
< p>“Moscow is now 'weaponizing winter' and this is a daily and nightly reality in Ukraine,” he noted.
The head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, speaking at a briefing with Blinken, emphasized that the US will not prevent Ukraine from developing own long-range strike potential.
“The short answer is no. We absolutely do not do this. Washington has already provided Ukraine with more than $19 billion in security assistance,” the minister said.
State Department spokesman Ned Price previously stated that the US does not know who is responsible for the drone attack on Russian military airfields.
At the airfield in At least 2 military aircraft of the Russian Federation were damaged in Engels [+–]
“Everything we do is to ensure support for the independence of Ukraine, its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We provide what the Armed Forces of Ukraine can use to confront Russian aggressors,” Price emphasized.
One of the high-ranking Ukrainian government officials spoke to The Washington Post about three attacks by Ukrainian drones in the Kursk region.
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“These were Ukrainian drones. They are very successful and efficient. The Russians sowed the seeds of anger and now they will reap the storm,” added the interlocutor of the publication.
The American publication The New York Times called what happened at the airfields in Russia the most daring attack by the Armed Forces during the entire time of the full-scale invasion.
Special forces who were near the base, according to journalists, helped guide the drone to the target. Kyiv did not confirm involvement in the explosions at the airfields.
US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland did not rule out that the airfields were attacked Ukrainian military. According to her, the Ukrainians are very resourceful and capable of conducting effective sea and air operations with drones.
Let us remind you that a fuel tanker exploded at the Diaghilev airfield near Ryazan in the morning of December 5. The media reported about 6 Russians killed and 11 injured.A drone attack on Engels airfield was reported at approximately 6:00 a.m. Propagandists said at least 2 military aircraft were damaged.