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A top Russian official has accused the United States of escalating the war in Ukraine conflict by allowing Kyiv to use long-range American missiles to strike targets deeper in Russian territory.
Let’s bring you up to speed: Yesterday, President Biden authorized Ukraine to use US-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to strike military targets within Russian territory, marking a significant shift in American policy. These missiles, capable of reaching up to 190 miles, will allow Ukraine to target critical Russian infrastructure, including airfields, missile launch sites, and military installations within Russia, significantly extending its operational reach. The decision comes after years of lobbying by Ukrainian officials who argued that these weapons are essential to counter Russia’s aggressive missile and drone attacks, particularly those aimed at crippling Ukraine’s energy grid ahead of winter.
How Russia is reacting: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused the United States of purposely escalating the war in Ukraine, adding that they were adding “fuel to the fire.” He continued, “If such a decision was indeed formulated and brought to the Kyiv regime, then this is a qualitatively new round of tension and a qualitatively new situation from the point of view of US involvement in this conflict.
Maria Butina, a close confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was previously convicted for acting as an unregistered foreign agent within the US, said, “I have a great hope that [Donald] Trump will overcome this decision if this has been made because they are seriously risking the start of World War III which is not in anybody’s interest.”
Previous warnings from Putin: Back in September, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that if Ukraine were to use long-range weapons and strike targets within Russia, he would hold the United States and NATO directly accountable, considering it an act of war by those countries. Putin argued that such strikes would require US or NATO involvement in targeting, a claim he says would place these nations in direct participation in the conflict. He warned, “This would in a significant way change the very nature of the conflict. It would mean that NATO countries, the US, European countries, are at war with Russia.” He added, “We will make appropriate decisions based on the threats that will be created for us.”
Polish president reacts: Polish President Andrzej Duda called the decision to allow Ukraine to use these weapons inside of Ukraine as a “decisive moment in the war.” He added, “This decision was very necessary … Russia sees that Ukraine enjoys strong support and that the West’s position is unyielding and determined. It’s a very important.”
