Russian Foreign Ministry: Americans act as real-time gunners for Armed Forces of Ukraine

The United States is already involved in the fighting in Ukraine, official representative for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova said on Tuesday, August 2, TASS reports.

"Not only do they provide instructions and training on how to use the arms that they supply — they perform the gunner function as it is," Zakharova said during a news briefing.

According to her, this is evidenced by the interview with Vadym Skibitsky, a representative for the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Defence Ministry, which was published on The Telegraph.

In the interview, Skibitsky said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), when using American HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems, resorted to information that they received from the United States in real time. He noted that US officials did not provide direct targeting data. There is a level of consultation between intelligence officials from both countries in the run-up to missile launches, he said.

In early August, the United States approved another $550 million defense aid package for Ukraine. The package includes shells for HIMARS MLRS and ammunition for 155-mm artillery mounts, TASS reports.