Russia's "Direct Intervention in the U.S.-U.S. U.S. "Weapons Only"

Russia accused the U.S. of "directly intervening in the war in Ukraine." This is because the U.S. provides Ukraine with target information used for high-speed mobile artillery rocket system (HIMARS). Russia has claimed that the U.S. is engaged in a proxy war in Ukraine, but it has raised the level of criticism. Amid escalating U.S.-China conflict due to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, the U.S.-Russia conflict over the war in Ukraine also seems to be sharp.

According to the British Guardian and BBC, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that the U.S. is practically directly participating by providing target information to Ukraine. "The U.S. is responsible for Ukraine's rocket attacks on eastern Donbas and other regions," he said, blaming the U.S. for the war damage. In response, the U.S. countered that it only provides weapons, not direct participation.

"HIMARS is very effective in eliminating Russian fuel and ammunition deposits," said Vadim Skivitsky, acting deputy director of Ukraine's military intelligence, in an interview with the British Telegraph on the 1st. "Great satellite images and real-time information helped." Although the U.S. did not say it directly provides target information, it was interpreted that the remarks acknowledged that U.S. and Ukrainian intelligence officials had consultations before the attack.

The U.S. has provided more than $8 billion (about 10.49 trillion won) of military supplies to Ukraine since the Russian invasion on February 24, including the recently announced $550 million aid. HIMARS offered 16 units and four more are available this week. HIMARS is expected to play a key role in Ukraine's recapture of the Russian-occupied southern city of Herson.

On the 2nd, the U.S. included Alina Kabayeva (39, photo), a former member of Russia's rhythmic gymnastics team known as Russian President Vladimir Putin's long-time lover. The U.S. Treasury Department said on the same day that it would freeze all assets of Kabayeva in the U.S. and ban transactions with Americans. Kabayeva is the head of the state-run media National Media Group, which glorifies and promotes Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Kabayeva is known to have children with Putin.

The U.S. Treasury Department also put MMK, the world's largest steel producer, and Victor Philippovich Rashnikov, chairman of the company's board of directors and major shareholder, on the list of sanctions.

Date: 2022-08-04

Reporter: 정새울