Tue Nov 19 23:36:33 UTC 2024: ## Ukraine Fires US-Made Missiles into Russia, Marking Major Escalation on War’s 1000th Day
**Rio de Janeiro/Kyiv –** On the 1000th day of the war in Ukraine, tensions escalated dramatically after Russia accused Ukraine of launching US-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) into its Bryansk region. This marks the first confirmed use of these long-range missiles by Ukraine inside Russian territory.
The attack comes just two days after the Biden administration granted Ukraine permission to use the ATACMS, a decision that has sparked considerable debate amongst world leaders gathered at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has neither confirmed nor denied the strike, he stated Ukraine will utilize all its long-range weaponry.
Russia’s defense ministry reported that six missiles were fired, with five intercepted and one damaged, causing a fire at a military facility. No casualties were reported. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov condemned the action, viewing it as a significant escalation of Western involvement in the conflict.
This development coincides with Russia’s announcement of an updated nuclear doctrine. Moscow will now consider aggression from any non-nuclear state, with the participation of a nuclear power, as a joint attack warranting a potential nuclear response. While US officials dismissed this as “irresponsible rhetoric,” the change lowers the threshold for Russia’s nuclear use. The Pentagon stated it sees no immediate change needed in US nuclear posture.
The decision to allow Ukraine to use ATACMS has divided opinion. While some Western leaders see it as necessary to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities, others, including US Senator Mitch McConnell, criticized the Biden administration for a perceived delay in authorizing their use. Concerns remain about the potential for further escalation and the implications for the ongoing conflict under the incoming Trump administration, which has expressed skepticism towards continued US support for Ukraine. The G20 summit saw world leaders grappling with this new dynamic, with noticeable avoidance of direct engagement between US President Biden and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov.
Separately, Russia launched a drone strike on Ukraine’s Sumy region, resulting in at least 12 deaths, including a child. Ukraine also reported shooting down 51 of 87 drones launched overnight from Russia. Zelenskyy, addressing the European Parliament, expressed hope for peace in 2025, highlighting Ukraine’s resilience despite the ongoing war. He also warned of a potential increase in North Korean troops deployed to Russia.
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