The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that Washington was “directly involved” in the war and had passed on information that had led to “massive civilian deaths”. The US was responsible for rocket attacks from Kyiv on populated areas in eastern Donbass and other areas, it said. “All this proves beyond doubt that Washington, contrary to the claims of the White House and the Pentagon, is directly involved in the conflict in Ukraine,” the ministry said in a statement. The Biden administration has so far given more than $8 billion in security aid to Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February, including an additional $550 million tranche unveiled Monday. However, it categorically denies that it is involved in the conflict or is at war with Russia. The Kremlin’s comments followed an interview with the Telegraph on Monday by Vadim Skimytskyi, deputy head of Ukraine’s military intelligence service. Skimitsky said the U.S. Himars long-range artillery systems were extremely effective in eliminating Russian fuel and ammunition dumps. He said excellent satellite imagery and real-time information had helped. He denied that US officials provided direct targeting information. But he admitted there was consultation between US and Ukrainian intelligence officials before the strikes so Washington could control and if necessary veto the intended targets. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova heard the comments. He told the RIA Novosti news agency: “No further confirmation of the direct involvement of the United States in the hostilities on the territory of Ukraine is required. “The supply of weapons comes not only with instructions for their use, but in this case they perform the function of shooters in their purest form.” The US has given Ukraine 16 Himars systems so far. Another four arrived this week. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has credited them with slowing Russia’s advances in the east and south and causing significant damage to enemy operations. Superior artillery supplied by the US is likely to play a key role in a possible Ukrainian counterattack to retake the southern city of Kherson, which the Russians captured in the first days of the invasion. In recent days, Russia has moved troops and equipment to the southern front to bolster its defenses. Moscow claims a Kheimar strike killed 53 Ukrainian prisoners of war last week at a Russian-run prison near Olenivka, in the Donetsk region. Another 73 were injured. Kyiv says the Russians murdered the prisoners from the Azov regiment, who were captured in May in Mariupol. On Tuesday, the constitution called on the US State Department to designate Russia as a “terrorist state”. “Russia has demonstrated this status with its daily actions for many years. Its army and special services commit war crimes every day,” he said, claiming that its fighters were the victims of a “public execution” in Moscow. Subscribe to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7am. BST On Monday the Institute for the Study of War released a report concluding that Russian forces were behind the prison explosion. He said satellite images strongly suggested a “precision strike or an internally planted incendiary or explosive” caused the blast.