For fear of escalation, Washington has prohibited missile strikes on Russia. However, the policy change occurs two months before Donald Trump, who has doubts about US assistance to Ukraine, assumes office.
Ukraine has been given permission by the departing Joe Biden administration to launch limited strikes within Russia using US-made ATACMS missiles. World War III might result from such escalation, Russian MPs have warned.Because it feared escalation, Washington had previously prohibited such strikes against Russia. However, the policy change occurs two months before Donald Trump, who is skeptical of US assistance to Ukraine, assumes office in January.
Additionally, Trump's team believes the next US government will permit Ukraine to employ US-provided weaponry within Russia.
Before becoming office, Trump repeatedly stated that he will put a stop to the hostilities in the Middle East and Ukraine during his second term.
Why Is Russia Warning Ukraine Not to Use Missiles?
According to Reuters, Andrei Klishas, a senior member of the Federation Council, Russia's upper house of parliament, stated on the Telegram messaging app, "The West has decided on such a level of escalation that it could end with the Ukrainian statehood in complete ruins by morning."
Before becoming office, Trump repeatedly stated that he will put a stop to the hostilities in the Middle East and Ukraine during his second term.
Why Is Russia Warning Ukraine Not to Use Missiles?
According to Reuters, Andrei Klishas, a senior member of the Federation Council, Russia's upper house of parliament, stated on the Telegram messaging app, "The West has decided on such a level of escalation that it could end with the Ukrainian statehood in complete ruins by morning."
Moscow will react right away, according to Vladimir Dzhabarov, first deputy head of the Russian upper house's international affairs committee. According to Dzhabarov, this would be "a very big step towards World War 3," according to the TASS state news agency.
According to Russian news media, Leonid Slutsky, the chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the State Duma lower house, stated that the strongest reaction would result from Kyiv using ATACMS missiles to launch US-approved strikes against Russia.
President Vladimir Putin had previously stated in September that if the West permitted Ukraine to use long-range missiles manufactured in the West to attack Russian territory, he would be directly battling Russia. He claimed that this action would change the character and extent of the conflict.
According to Russian news media, Leonid Slutsky, the chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the State Duma lower house, stated that the strongest reaction would result from Kyiv using ATACMS missiles to launch US-approved strikes against Russia.
President Vladimir Putin had previously stated in September that if the West permitted Ukraine to use long-range missiles manufactured in the West to attack Russian territory, he would be directly battling Russia. He claimed that this action would change the character and extent of the conflict.
What Motivated Biden to Take This Action?
Fearing that it would force the US and its NATO partners into a direct conflict with Russia, President Biden has always opposed the use of US weapons against Russia.
However, once the trend swung in favor of Russia, Biden gave in. According to a BBC story, the US's recent action signals to Ukraine that it will back its attempts to preserve a small portion of Russian territory, which may be used as a "bargaining chip" for any future talks.
Fearing that it would force the US and its NATO partners into a direct conflict with Russia, President Biden has always opposed the use of US weapons against Russia.
However, once the trend swung in favor of Russia, Biden gave in. According to a BBC story, the US's recent action signals to Ukraine that it will back its attempts to preserve a small portion of Russian territory, which may be used as a "bargaining chip" for any future talks.
Biden's decision, according to reports, will allow Britain and France to authorize Ukraine's employment of long-range Storm Shadow missiles within Russia.
France and the UK have not reacted to Biden's choice.
What Is Trump's Opinion?
Though several of his aides have already criticized the policy, the president-elect has not stated that he will stick with it.
France and the UK have not reacted to Biden's choice.
What Is Trump's Opinion?
Though several of his aides have already criticized the policy, the president-elect has not stated that he will stick with it.
"The military industrial complex seems to want to make sure they get World War Three going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives," Trump Jr., Trump's son, posted on social media.
JD Vance, Trump's vice presidential candidate, stated that the United States should stop giving Ukraine military assistance.
When Trump becomes president in January, many Ukrainian authorities worry that he will stop the flow of weapons.
JD Vance, Trump's vice presidential candidate, stated that the United States should stop giving Ukraine military assistance.
When Trump becomes president in January, many Ukrainian authorities worry that he will stop the flow of weapons.
Which ATACMS Are Usable Against Russia?
Some of the most potent ballistic missiles supplied to Ukraine are the Lockheed Martin-made ATACMS (pronounced "attack 'ems").
The missile can hit targets up to 190 miles distant and can travel far higher in the atmosphere than artillery rockets thanks to its warhead, which has roughly 375 pounds of explosives.
Older M270 launchers received from Britain and Germany, as well as the HIMARS mobile launchers the US has given Ukraine, can fire ATACMS.
According to The New York Times, the ATACMS missile was created in the 1980s to eliminate valuable Soviet targets located far behind enemy lines.
Some of the most potent ballistic missiles supplied to Ukraine are the Lockheed Martin-made ATACMS (pronounced "attack 'ems").
The missile can hit targets up to 190 miles distant and can travel far higher in the atmosphere than artillery rockets thanks to its warhead, which has roughly 375 pounds of explosives.
Older M270 launchers received from Britain and Germany, as well as the HIMARS mobile launchers the US has given Ukraine, can fire ATACMS.
According to The New York Times, the ATACMS missile was created in the 1980s to eliminate valuable Soviet targets located far behind enemy lines.
According to US officials cited by The Times, the missiles are probably going to be used first against North Korean and Russian soldiers in order to aid Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region of western Russia.
Why Did America Hold Off?
President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for weaponry that can strike even further into Russian-held territory and ultimately Russia since the beginning of the war in Ukraine in February 2022.
Last year, the US gave Ukraine ATACMS, but it was prohibited from using it against Russia because of concerns that Putin may escalate in retaliation. Biden has stated, "We're trying to avoid World War III."
Why Did America Hold Off?
President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for weaponry that can strike even further into Russian-held territory and ultimately Russia since the beginning of the war in Ukraine in February 2022.
Last year, the US gave Ukraine ATACMS, but it was prohibited from using it against Russia because of concerns that Putin may escalate in retaliation. Biden has stated, "We're trying to avoid World War III."
Zelensky has defended the use of these weapons by pointing out that they would be essential to Ukraine's larger counteroffensive. He emphasized that he has no intention of using them to target civilians or to harm Russia.
What Possible Effects Might There Be?
With the aid of the missiles, Ukraine will be able to attack targets within Russia, most likely in the Kursk region, which is home to more than 1,000 square kilometers that the Ukrainian army controls.
In exchange, Ukraine should anticipate a counteroffensive by North Korean and Russian forces to retake Kursk.
What Possible Effects Might There Be?
With the aid of the missiles, Ukraine will be able to attack targets within Russia, most likely in the Kursk region, which is home to more than 1,000 square kilometers that the Ukrainian army controls.
In exchange, Ukraine should anticipate a counteroffensive by North Korean and Russian forces to retake Kursk.
In preparation for such a decision, reports indicate that Russia has already relocated its military hardware, including jets, to airfields located farther within the country.
When Was ATACMS Used in Combat by the US?
During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, the US military launched 30 ATACMS against Iraq's surface-to-air missile sites and medium-range ballistic missile launchers.
The New York Times said that the first-generation ATACMS could drop 950 bomblets and fly over 100 miles.
The US Army also launched about 400 of the bomblet-carrying tactical missiles during Operation Iraqi Freedom during the 2003 invasion.
When Was ATACMS Used in Combat by the US?
During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, the US military launched 30 ATACMS against Iraq's surface-to-air missile sites and medium-range ballistic missile launchers.
The New York Times said that the first-generation ATACMS could drop 950 bomblets and fly over 100 miles.
The US Army also launched about 400 of the bomblet-carrying tactical missiles during Operation Iraqi Freedom during the 2003 invasion.
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