Russia Vows ‘Tangible’ Response If
US Missiles Used Against Its Territory
BBC

(November 20, 2024) — The Russian foreign ministry issued a statement on Monday. Russia says the use of US long-range missiles by Ukraine will lead to “an appropriate and tangible” response.

Such an attack inside Russian territory “would represent the direct involvement of the United States and its satellites in hostilities against Russia”, a foreign ministry statement said.

President Joe Biden approved the use of the missiles on targets in Russia in a major change of US policy — two months before he is due to leave the White House.

It is not clear if his successor, President-elect Donald Trump, was consulted or whether he will stick by the decision, having promised to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

Ukraine has had US ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) with a range of 300km (190 miles) — as well as French and British Storm Shadow missiles of a similar range — but the Western allies had barred Kyiv from hitting Russia with them.

Biden’s decision to lift that condition is a significant moment in the war, which marks its 1,000th day on Tuesday. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.

Moscow has now intensified attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure as the sides appear to have reached a stalemate on the battlefield.

The US decision also follows the arrival in Russia’s western Kursk region — where Ukrainian forces captured and are holding onto a small piece of territory — of more than 10,000 troops from North Korea to help President Vladimir Putin’s forces.

Unconfirmed reports say North Korea may send as many as 100,000 soldiers, in addition to artillery and other weapons to its ally.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated there may be no formal announcement of the US deal — “the missiles will speak for themselves,” he said on Sunday.

Ukraine may use the ATACMS in Kursk first — in fact some reports suggest the US may have restricted their use there as a signal to North Korea to stop sending aid to Russia and to Moscow itself.

Biden’s approval of the long-range missiles — which may be followed by similar authorisations by the UK and France — is being seen in the West as a way of signalling to the Russian leader that he cannot win the Ukraine war militarily.

Putin has not commented on the latest move. [See videos of Putin’s response below — EAW.]

In September, the Russian leader said the use of such missiles by Ukraine would represent the “direct participation” of Nato countries in the war. On Monday, Putin’s spokesman said the US was “adding oil to the fire”.

But Jon Finer, US deputy national security adviser, said Washington had made it “clear to the Russians that we would respond” — both to the presence of North Korean forces and the “major escalation” in Russian aerial attacks on infrastructure across Ukraine.

The weekend saw intense Russian attacks against Ukraine’s power grid, causing large-scale blackouts. Several people were killed or injured.

On Monday, a Russian strike on Odesa killed another 10 people and injured nearly 50.

Donald Trump has not reacted to Biden’s decision so far. He swept to victory on 5 November and will return to the White House on 20 January.

Trump has promised to end US involvement in foreign wars and use the taxpayers’ money to improve the lives of Americans. He has also said he will end the Ukraine war within 24 hours, but has not given details how.

Zelensky recently said he expected Trump to exert pressure on Ukraine and Russia to agree a peace deal within the next year. Biden’s decision was hailed by French President Emmanuel Macron as a “totally good” step.

The US authorisation could potentially enable France and the UK to grant Ukraine permission to use Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia. Storm Shadow is a Franco-British long-range cruise missile with similar capabilities to the ATACMS.

So far, neither Macron nor UK Prime Minister Sir Keir have publicly said whether they will allow Kyiv to use their missiles in the same way.

Meanwhile, China’s Xi Jinping urged world leaders to “cool the Ukraine crisis” and seek a political solution, according to Chinese state media.

China has become a vital partner for Russia, as it seeks to soften the impact of US and European sanctions imposed over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Beijing has repeatedly denied allegations that it supplies Moscow with weapons.

Related News

• Could missiles change the course of the war?
• Rosenberg: Fury in Russia
• What we know about North Korean soldiers in Russia
• Ukraine in maps: Tracking the war with Russia

 

Vladimir Putin’s Live Address In English;
Re: Direct Attack On US, UK, Biden, Trump
Hindustan Times

(November 21, 2024) — Watch live as Vladimir Putin announces Russia’s successful test of the new Oreshnik hypersonic missile system on targets in Dnipro, Ukraine.  This unprecedented attack marks the first known use of an ICBM in the ongoing conflict.

The missile strike, launched from Russia’s Astrakhan region, demonstrates advanced capabilities with speeds reaching Mach 10.

The attack comes amid escalating tensions, following Ukraine’s recent use of US and British missiles on Russian territory. Putin’s announcement coincides with Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine, potentially lowering the threshold for nuclear weapons use. The strike damaged industrial facilities in Dnipro, while Ukrainian forces successfully intercepted multiple incoming missiles.

Putin’s Oreshnik Sends Chills Through NATO
Why US Allies Can’t Intercept New Russian Missile

November 23, 2024) — Russia used its new hypersonic missile — Oreshnik — to attack Ukraine on November 21. Sputnik reported that the new missile could reach the newly unveiled US military base in Poland in just 8-11 minutes. A military expert told Sputnik that the missile can fly up to speeds of Mach 10 and cited reasons as to why the US and its NATO allies won’t be able to shoot it down.

Trump’s Surprise World War III, anti-NATO
Speech After Putin’s Nuclear Order
Times of India

(November 21, 2024) — U.S President Elect Donald Trump’s speech on preventing World War 3 as Russia’s Putin changes nuclear doctrine after Biden’s nod for Ukraine to use US long-range missiles to strike deep inside Russia. “We have never been closer to a nuclear WWIII than we are right now,” says Trump.
https://www.youtube.com/live/EXWxU4R3ZKs?si=uIGCAL8CCDfX-gWZ

Putin set out parameters for a peace agreement a year ago.

Putin Sends Ukraine Plan To Trump;
NATO Nations Shut Embassies In Ukraine

November 21, 2024) — The US Embassy in Kyiv has reopened after a 24-hour closure prompted by a potential air attack threat. US Ambassador Bridget Brink announced the resumption of services, but urged US citizens in Ukraine to remain vigilant and monitor air alerts. The temporary closure followed intelligence reports indicating a possible large-scale Russian attack.
https://www.youtube.com/live/xG6qjihRtlw?si=S_jkQlIPi3cdvv_P

Putin Surprises Trump On
Ukraine Peace Offer, Zelensky Shocked?
Hindustan Times

In a significant development following Donald Trump’s election victory, Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended a peace offer concerning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Putin expressed a willingness to negotiate an end to hostilities, aligning with President-elect Trump’s commitment to mediate peace between Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has responded cautiously, emphasizing that Ukraine will not make territorial concessions in any peace agreement.

This unfolding situation has garnered international attention, with global leaders and organizations closely monitoring the potential for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. Join us as we provide live coverage and expert analysis on these pivotal developments and their implications for international relations and regional stability.
https://www.youtube.com/live/AzIWD3NNJs8?si=mSuQxoQZVY1d7K_5