Top Ukrainian commander admits strikes on Russian soil in interview

The commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian forces, Valery Zaluzhny, has admitted Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil, in an interview with the U.S. newspaper Washington Post.

"This is our problem, and it is up to us to decide how to kill this enemy. It is possible and necessary to kill on his territory in a war," he told the newspaper in an article first published on Friday.

Russian border regions in particular repeatedly experience artillery and drone fire from Ukraine.

The U.S. newspaper noted that officials in Kiev do not usually admit to the attacks across the border.

Zaluzhny said that he uses weapons made in Ukraine for the frequent strikes across the border.

"If our partners are afraid to use their weapons, we will kill with our own," he said, referring to the conditions imposed by Western allies that the weapons supplied should not be used to attack Russian territory.

"To save my people, why do I have to ask someone for permission what to do on enemy territory?" Zaluzhny asked.

The report said Zaluzhny wants to take back the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea that Russia annexed back in 2014.

"As soon as I have the means, I'll do something. I don't give a damn — nobody will stop me," Zaluzhny said.