Will the US provide intelligence on targets in Crimea to Ukraine?

The Wall Street Journal on April 13 quoted a US intelligence official as saying: “As the conflict escalates, we continue to adjust to ensure operators are flexible in sharing intelligence information. in a detailed and timely manner to the Ukrainians”.

According to The New York Times, the new US policy “refers to the Crimean peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014”. The US still considers Crimea part of Ukraine’s territory despite Russian objections.

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal revealed that Washington is expanding its intelligence-sharing capabilities with Kiev but is unlikely to provide information that would allow the Ukrainians to attack targets on Russian territory.

Soldiers at the Opuk training ground in Crimea. Photo: Sputnik

On April 13, the Russian Defense Ministry warned that the continued attack by the Ukrainian military against targets on Russian territory could increase tensions. The ministry threatened to target “decision-making brains” in the capital Kiev in retaliation.

The change in US policy regarding the crisis in Ukraine – if officially confirmed – is revealed at the same time that Washington is stepping up the supply of weapons to Kiev, including heavier weapons. The Pentagon this week announced a new $800 million aid package for Ukraine that includes artillery, armored vehicles and helicopters.

According to RT, US officials also convened a meeting with executives from eight of the country’s top defense manufacturers to discuss equipment “that could help Ukraine”.

In addition to warning about Ukraine’s attack on its territory, Russia still conducts a special military operation in its neighboring country, using missiles and artillery “to destroy a total of 700 targets of Ukraine’s military infrastructure. April 13”. The Russian Defense Ministry has released a video of a Ka-52 helicopter attacking a camouflaged Ukrainian army site in a forest.

From February 24 to April 14, Russia announced the destruction of 130 Ukrainian warplanes, 447 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and 103 helicopters.

Ka-52 helicopter. Photo: Sputnik