According to multiple US officials speaking anonymously to various media outlets on Thursday, Kyiv will now be permitted to utilize these weapons on the border of the Kharkiv region, which recently came under renewed Russian assault.

The decision, which has provoked expected ire from Kremlin officials, marks a departure from Biden's previous stance of restricting the use of US weapons to within Ukraine's borders. This development coincides with indications from France and other European nations that Ukraine may utilize their weapons on military targets within Russia.

Kyiv has been authorized to target military installations on the border with the Kharkiv region, where Russia has seized control of several villages since May 10, leading to the evacuation of thousands of residents.

A US official, speaking to Reuters, AFP, and The Associated Press news agencies, stated, "The president recently directed his team to ensure that Ukraine is able to use US-supplied weapons for counter-fire purposes in the Kharkiv region so Ukraine can hit back against Russian forces that are attacking them or preparing to attack them." Politico first reported on the change in policy.

In response to the decision, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of "serious consequences" and emphasized Russia's nuclear capabilities if Ukraine's Western allies continue to loosen their policies.

Andrei Kartapolov, head of the Russian lower house's defense committee, stated to Russia’s RIA Novosti agency on Friday that Moscow would respond asymmetrically to Ukrainian attacks on its territory using US-provided weapons.

Kartapolov clarified that Biden's decision to allow limited missile strikes inside Russia with US weapons would not impede Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.

Dmitry Medvedev, a senior Russian security official, emphasized that Russia was serious about the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine and warned of an escalation to all-out war in the conflict with the West. He stated on his official Telegram channel that the situation was evolving towards the worst-case scenario, and an escalation to the "last stage" could not be ruled out. (ILKHA)