US State Department's Statement on Recent Events in Russia’s Kursk Region

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated today:

“Today, I heard about the communication with Ukrainians regarding their operations. I will leave it to them to explain what those operations are, what their goals are—it’s appropriate for them to speak on that, not us. But you’re right, I have seen the statements from the Russian government. It’s a bit rich to call it a provocation, given that Russia violated Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over 900 days ago, starting back in 2014 and continuing to illegally occupy Ukrainian territory. Ultimately, the decisions about how Ukraine conducts its military operations are decisions that Ukraine makes. Nothing has changed about our policy with respect to strikes across the border. Several months ago, we allowed the equipment we provide to be used in strikes across the border targeting Russian military sites.”