US-Supported "Good Guys" Firing Ballistic Missiles in Ukraine?

U.S. official indicates Pentagon likely to hold back evidence of use of powerful weapons because they come from the side cast as the "good guys" in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine

Lauren McCauley

Common Dreams

A residential home that was destroyed Tuesday by Ukrainian military shelling. (Photo: Christopher Allen)

One day after the U.S. government accused Russia of betraying a signature treaty by test-firing a medium-range ballistic missile, questions are mounting on Tuesday over whether the Ukrainian Army has actually fired short-range ballistic missiles at rebel-held areas in the east of the country.

[A U.S.  official] said it is not clear if the United States will show satellite imagery of the Ukrainian firings "because these are the good guys." —CNN reportWith no mention of potential civilian casualties, CNN reported on Tuesday that according to three U.S. officials, in the past 48 hours the Ukrainian military had fired several short-range ballistic missiles "into areas controlled by Russian separatists."

CNN reports:

One U.S. official said so far, there has been no reaction from Russia. A second official said it is not clear if the United States will show satellite imagery of the Ukrainian firings "because these are the good guys."

Another of the U.S. officials called the firings "an escalation, but Ukraine has a right to defend itself."

So far, the Ukrainian government has not publicly acknowledged the missile firings. CNN is seeking a comment from Kiev.

While U.S. officials say they don't think pro-Russian rebels have used ballistic missiles, they remain concerned about how Russia might respond.