---
title: "USA Allows Ukraine to Shoot Down Russian Aircraft"
url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/35498/usa-allows-ukraine-to-shoot-down-russian-aircraft
published: 2024-06-05T10:28:41Z
language: en
author: "Viorica Rusica"
section: "International"
source: radiomoldova.md
---

# USA Allows Ukraine to Shoot Down Russian Aircraft

> The USA permitted Kiev at the beginning of Russia's large-scale invasion to shoot down military aircraft flying over Russian territory if they pose a threat to Ukraine, declared the spokesperson for the USA National Security Council, John Kirby, reports The Kiyv Independent.

The USA permitted Kiev at the beginning of Russia's large-scale invasion to shoot down military aircraft flying over Russian territory if they pose a threat to Ukraine, declared the spokesperson for the USA National Security Council, John Kirby, reports [The Kiyv Independent.](https://kyivindependent.com/us-allowed-ukraine-to-down-planes-in-russian-territory/)

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/e57cc423-69b6-4661-8716-0115f8b7a023.jpg)

The White House lifted the ban on Ukraine's use of certain American weapons against Russian territory, near the Kharkiv and Sumy regions. This decision comes after Moscow launched a new offensive on May 10 in the Kharkiv region.

On May 31, Kirby stated that *"there was some confusion"* regarding Ukraine's permission to use USA-supplied weapons to hit targets in Russia. He spoke to the press before President Joe Biden's visit to France for the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Kirby clarified that *"there was never a restriction on Ukrainians downing hostile aircraft, even if those aircraft were not necessarily in Ukrainian airspace."*

Kirby did not confirm the information that Ukraine used US weapons to hit Russian territory for the first time, stating that the USA *"cannot know exactly how the Ukrainians strike every day."*

On June 4, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told the press that Biden's decision to authorise strikes on Russian territory, near the Kharkiv and Sumy regions, is *"common sense."*

Biden believes that *"Ukraine should have the right to retaliate, including with American-made weapons,"* and therefore, *"authorised the use of these weapons for this specific purpose,"* said Sullivan.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**