CNN reports.
This is how head of Pentagon reacted to the assumption voiced on December 6 by high-ranking official of the US State Department that "Ukraine is behind recent drone strikes on two Russian airbases." In the comment, he also directly accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of committing war crimes by striking civilian population and infrastructure in Ukraine.
"We are not working to prevent Ukraine from developing its own capability," Austin emphasized.
Prior to that, Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland stated that "no one has claimed responsibility" for drone strikes on Russian bases.
"But the targets were the very precise bombers that the Russians have been using to attack critical infrastructure," she said.
According to her, "the Ukrainian people are incredibly innovative; they are making their own drones, air and sea, that are incredibly effective."
In addition, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the United States "did not encourage" Ukrainians to attack the territory of Russian Federation. Speaking at press conference with Defense Minister Lloyd Austin and their Australian counterparts, Blinken said he was aware of reports of drone strikes on Russian territory but had no additional information.