Biden approves sending rockets to Ukraine | First Thing

Moscow says US decision to supply rocket systems increases risk' of confrontation. Plus, Maverick sparks joy in Taiwan

Good morning.

Joe Biden has confirmed he will send medium-range advanced rocket systems to Kyiv, a critical weapon that Ukrainian leaders have been asking for as they struggle to stall Russian progress in the Donbas region.

How has Russia reacted? Russia has said that the US decision is extremely negative and will increase the risk of a direct confrontation. Attempts to present the decision as containing an element of self-restraint' are useless," said the Russian deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov.

What are the advanced rockets US is sending Ukraine? The new weapon is the Himars multiple-launch rocket system, or MLRS: a mobile unit that can simultaneously launch multiple precision-guided missiles.

What's happening with the push for better gun laws? Texas leaders are under growing pressure to increase gun control measures in the face of data indicating the state leads the US in mass shooting deaths, while Republicans have steadily eased restrictions on weapons and cut mental health spending.