In a press conference held in St Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed strong disapproval of the West's provision of long-range weapons to Ukraine. He criticized the delivery of such weapons to a war zone, warning that Moscow could potentially supply similar arms to other countries to target Western interests.

Putin's comments came in response to confirmation by a US senator and a Western official that Ukraine had recently utilized US weapons to launch attacks inside Russia. These strikes were carried out under newly approved guidance from President Joe Biden, which allows American arms to be used in defense of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city.

Republican Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota, a member of the Senate armed services committee, confirmed the use of US weapons in the strikes but did not disclose how he obtained the information. The directive from President Biden permits US-supplied weapons to be employed against Russian forces engaged in or preparing to launch attacks. However, this does not change the longstanding US policy that prohibits Ukraine from using American-provided army tactical missile systems (Atacms) or long-range missiles and munitions to strike offensively inside Russia.

Putin also criticized Germany for approving Ukraine's use of German-supplied long-range weapons to strike targets within Russian territory. He regarded this move as a "dangerous step" that could significantly damage the relationship between Berlin and Moscow.

The intensified Russian attacks on Kharkiv, a city situated just 20km (12 miles) from the Russian border, prompted Ukrainian officials to call on the US and other allies to allow them to defend themselves against attacks originating from Russian territory.

In a report by the Institute for the Study of War on June 3, it was revealed that Ukrainian forces potentially targeted a Russian S-300/400 air defense battery in the Belgorod region, using a high-mobility artillery rocket system (Himars) on June 1 or 2. The air defense system was located approximately 60km (40 miles) from the current frontline in the northern Kharkiv region and over 80km from the city of Kharkiv, falling well within the range of the Himars system.

Putin also addressed the detention of a Wall Street Journal reporter, stating that the US administration was taking active measures to secure their release. He mentioned ongoing talks with US intelligence agencies on the matter but emphasized the need for discreet discussions.

The journalist in question, Gershkovich, has been held in Moscow's Lefortovo prison since March of last year on espionage allegations made by Russian authorities. The US State Department has declared his detention as wrongful, and Gershkovich himself vehemently denies the charges. President Biden has asserted that his administration is working tirelessly to secure the reporter's release.