Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said publicly for the first time that the US is providing intelligence to Ukrainian forces for operations in Donbas, CNN reported..

“We provide them with intelligence to conduct operations in the Donbass, that’s right,” Austin said, when asked by Republican Senator Tom Cotton whether the US is providing intelligence to help Ukraine launch attacks on Russian troops in the separatist-controlled region of Donbass or in Crimea..

At the same time, Austin did not mention Crimea in his answer..

He also noted that the United States does not persuade Ukraine from attacks on Russian troops in these areas..

This is the first time an American official has publicly acknowledged the role of the United States in the war in Ukraine..

A senior official from the Ministry of Defense, in turn, noted that part of the intelligence comes to Ukraine "

“We continue to provide useful information and reconnaissance by the armed forces of Ukraine in their struggle. As this fight moves more and more to the Donbas region, we will adjust our information content and flow according to the needs,” he said after Austin’s words..

Both Austin and the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, told senators that the Pentagon is doing everything possible to help Ukraine fight against Russia.. U.S. security assistance is coming to Ukraine "

During a conversation with senators, Austin noted that the United States provided Ukraine with “the means that are relevant and effective in this fight.”.

“You saw that we provide a lot of anti-armor, anti-aircraft, communications equipment, as well as UAVs.

And we also aim to help them in a number of other ways,” he said..

At the same time, the Minister of Defense noted that the Pentagon plans to update recommendations on the exchange of intelligence data with Ukraine, in particular, to clarify the "

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Recall that the White House confirmed that before the start of the war, the United States provided Ukraine with information about Russia's plans to launch an invasion and move its troops to the borders..