Russia Says US “Directly Involved” in Ukraine War

Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova

Russia has accused the US of being “directly involved” in the war in Ukraine, saying that the White House has supplied targeting information used by Kyiv to conduct long-range missile strikes.

Russia’s defense ministry claimed that intelligence passed on by Washington had led to the “mass deaths of civilians”. The US had played a role in Ukrainian rocket attacks on populated areas in the eastern Donbas and other regions, it said.

“All this undeniably proves that Washington, contrary to White House and Pentagon claims, is directly involved in the conflict in Ukraine,” the ministry said in a statement.

The comments come following an interview given to Britain’s Telegraph newspaper by Ukraine’s acting deputy head of military intelligence Vadym Skibitsky.

In the interview Skibitsky said that excellent satellite imagery and real-time information had assisted Ukrainian forces, acknowledging communication between US and Ukrainian intelligence officials prior to strikes being launched.

Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova jumped on the comments; telling the RIA Novosti news agency: “No other confirmation of the direct involvement of the United States in the hostilities on the territory of Ukraine is required.”

“The supply of weapons is accompanied not only by instructions on its use, but in this case they perform the function of gunners in their purest form.”

The Biden administration has so far given more than $8bn (£6.55bn) in aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February, including an additional $550m package announced yesterday. The White House has consistently denied any active involvement in the conflict.