Tue Nov 19 14:08:10 UTC 2024: ## Russia Accuses Ukraine of First ATACMS Strike; Putin Updates Nuclear Doctrine
**Moscow, November 19, 2024** – Russia’s defense ministry claimed Tuesday that Ukraine launched six U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) long-range missiles into its Bryansk region, marking the first reported use of these weapons against Russian territory since President Joe Biden authorized their deployment. The ministry stated that five missiles were intercepted by Russian air defenses, while one impacted a military facility, causing a brief fire with no casualties or significant damage. Ukraine has yet to confirm the attack.
This alleged strike follows months of lobbying by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for access to ATACMS. Russia has condemned the U.S. decision to approve their use as reckless and has vowed a response.
Coinciding with the reported attack, Russian President Vladimir Putin unveiled an updated nuclear doctrine. The revised policy lowers the threshold for Russia’s use of nuclear weapons, stating that a conventional assault on Russia by a non-nuclear state supported by a nuclear power would be considered a joint attack warranting nuclear consideration. A large-scale aerial attack using aircraft, cruise missiles, or drones crossing Russian borders also falls under this new criteria. The details of the incident remain unverified by independent sources.
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