Russia: US directly involved in Ukraine conflict

The Russian Foreign Ministry has said that the United States is directly involved in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Tuesday that the statements made by Vadim Skibitsky, a representative of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, confirm America’s involvement in the conflict.

In an interview with the Telegraph published on Monday, Skibitsky refused to answer questions about whose satellites were used for strikes when talking about US HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems.

The Ukrainian official, however, said that they consult with the US before launching strikes and that Washington has veto power over decision-making.

“No other confirmation of the direct involvement of the United States in hostilities on the territory of Ukraine is required,” Zakharova said on Tuesday because Washington doesn’t just arm and train Ukrainian forces but essentially shoots the weapons themselves.

The Russian official pointed out that the US is directly involved and that its distance from the situation is irrelevant.

“They are fully involved. Now Kiev representatives are talking about their military involvement not only through the supply of weapons, but through personnel management in the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, direct instructions and the choice of targets,” Zakharova added.

Russia has also previously accused the United States of coordinating military operations in Ukraine, saying the move amounts to Washington’s direct involvement in military action against Moscow.

Vyacheslav Volodin, who as the speaker of the lower house of the Russian parliament often voices the Kremlin’s views, made the remarks in a post in May.

“Washington is essentially coordinating and developing military operations, thereby directly participating in military actions against our country,” the Duma chairman said.

He said foreign advisers had been working in Ukraine since what he called the "coup d'etat," in an apparent reference to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s democratic election in 2019.

The United States and its Western allies have stepped up military support for Ukraine, sending a wide array of weapons meant to the country.

The New York Times reported that Washington has provided intelligence about Russian units that have helped Ukrainian forces kill many of the Russian generals in the war.

Since Russia began its special operation in Ukraine in late February, the US intelligence agencies have used a variety of sources, including classified and commercial satellites, to trace Russian troop movements.

In the meantime, the United States has provided training to Ukrainian forces at multiple locations in Europe.

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