INTERNATIONAL: As officials push back on claims that they provided intelligence to Ukraine 'with the intent to kill Russian generals'.
The US provided intelligence to Ukrainian forces who sunk the Moskva, one of Russia's most prominent warships, officials told NBC News. The Washington Post and the Associated Press also confirmed the development.
According to the officials, who spoke with NBC News on the condition of anonymity, Ukrainian forces had asked their American counterparts for information about a ship south of Odesa, in the Black Sea.
The US shared with Ukraine that the ship was indeed the Moskva and helped secure its exact location, according to the report.
The Ukrainians attacked the warship — loaded with military supplies and artillery — on April 14, striking and sinking the Moskva with anti-ship missiles. It's still unclear how many casualties resulted from the attack.
After the attack, Moscow had claimed that the ship sank due to a fire on board.
Officials who spoke with NBC News told the outlet that the US was not aware that Ukrainian officials would strike the ship.
According to the AP, the US has been strengthening its intel support for Ukraine throughout the war, removing red tape for what can be shared around geography and offering more minute-by-minute updates.
The White House and State Department did not immediately return Insider's requests for comment.
The news comes in the wake of reporting from The New York Times that claimed US officials have also helped Ukrainian forces locate and kill top Russian generals.
During Russia's 71-day war, Ukraine claims that it has killed 12 Russian generals, including Gen. Vitaly Gerasimov, who was previously Russia's highest-ranking officer.
On Thursday, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby and National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson addressed The Times' reporting about US intelligence being used to target Russian generals, pushing back on the claim.
"We do not provide intelligence on the location of senior military leaders on the battlefield," Kirby told reporters at a briefing on Thursday. Watson echoed those comments in a statement shared with The Hill.
"The United States provides battlefield intelligence to help the Ukrainians defend their country," Watson said. "We do not provide intelligence with the intent to kill Russian generals."
Source by businessInsider
