Russia has announced it will retaliate following Ukraine’s first use of long-range US missiles on its territory as President Vladimir Putin, on the 1,000th day of the conflict, lowered the threshold for using nuclear weapons.
A senior official confirmed to AFP that Ukraine’s strike in Russia’s Bryansk region involved ATACMS missiles, a type supplied by the US. Speaking at the G20 summit in Brazil, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov interpreted the attack as Western intentions to escalate the war. “This marks a new phase of the Western conflict with Russia, and our response will match,” Lavrov stated.
In response to the escalation, Putin signed a decree that would allow nuclear responses under broader circumstances, intensifying his nuclear rhetoric. The White House, the UK, and the European Union have criticized this move as reckless.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, at the G20 summit, accused world leaders of inaction over Putin’s threats, highlighting the Russian leader’s disinterest in peace.
It’s time for me to meet with Putin and Zelensky. We are now officially at war with Russia, and are at the brink of WWIII. WE NEED PEACE! Ukraine has just used US Long Range missiles to Strike Russia. We CANNOT let keep funding the killing of innocent people. pic.twitter.com/lqArLbUXYe
— Donald J. Trump – Parody (@realDonParody) November 19, 2024The conflict’s toll continued as a Russian strike destroyed a residential building in Sumy, Ukraine, killing at least 12, including a child.
Read: President Biden Grants Ukraine Use of Long-Range Missiles Against Russia
In a significant policy shift, the US approved Ukraine’s use of ATACMS for targeting military sites inside Russia. Following this, Russia reported a nighttime attack on a Bryansk facility. “The enemy launched six ballistic missiles at 03:25 am, using US-made ATACMS,” a Russian defence ministry statement read.
Lavrov also noted that these missiles, with a range of 300 kilometres, required US technical support, implying direct US involvement in the conflict. The recent Russian decree also stated that nuclear weapons could be used in response to conventional attacks if they are severe.
NEW: Ukraine fires U.S. provided long-range missiles into Russia just days after President Biden gave Ukraine the green light.
The move comes just two months after Putin said that if Ukraine used these missiles to strike Russia, it would mean the U.S. is at war.
Putin in… pic.twitter.com/ZOURYz5xQP
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 19, 2024Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, explained that this nuclear doctrine adjustment aligned with current needs.
This development comes as the conflict nears its 1,000th day, with heightened risks for Ukrainian forces, especially around Kupiansk and Pokrovsk. Recent Russian strikes have intensified, targeting Ukrainian cities and causing significant civilian casualties.
In this context, both nations have directed their economies towards the war effort. Ukrainian lawmakers have allocated 60% of the 2025 budget to defence, while Russian defence spending is set to increase by nearly 30% next year.
NATO’s Mark Rutte emphasized the importance of preventing Russian victory to deter further aggression, describing Putin’s potential success as a direct threat to Western security. Concurrently, the EU’s top diplomat urged alignment with the US in supporting Ukraine’s capability to strike back using the provided missiles.
