The Kremlin has sharply criticized President Joe Biden’s decision to approve the use of long-range missiles by Ukraine, warning that it signals a new level of direct U.S. involvement in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Monday that any U.S. decision allowing Ukraine to deploy American missiles deep into Russian territory would be a “qualitatively new” escalation. Peskov emphasized that this development would essentially mark the U.S. as directly engaged in the conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously voiced concerns about such a move, indicating that Western support for Ukraine’s missile capabilities would entail NATO’s active involvement, increasing tensions between Russia and the West.
Ukraine has long sought permission to use the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) to target Russian military installations, including airfields, inside Russian borders. On Sunday, multiple U.S. officials confirmed that Biden had given the green light to this request, allowing the missiles to strike targets up to 300 kilometers (186 miles) inside Russia. This includes around 245 military sites, including key air bases, making it a significant shift in U.S. policy.
The new weapons’ range could give Ukraine the ability to strike vital Russian infrastructure, which would likely provoke an even stronger response from Russia. In response to Biden’s approval, Putin had earlier warned that such a move would be considered a direct act of NATO involvement, given the necessity of NATO military infrastructure in supporting missile strikes.
As the geopolitical stakes rise, Russian lawmakers have voiced concerns about the risks of escalating the conflict into a wider war. Maria Butina, a member of Putin’s party, expressed hope that former U.S. President Donald Trump could reverse this decision if he returns to office, citing the risk of triggering World War III. Similarly, Vladimir Dzhabarov, a senior Russian legislator, condemned the move as “unprecedented” and warned of swift consequences.
International analysts, including Samir Puri from Chatham House, have described Biden’s decision as highly significant. The new weapons are expected to give Ukraine greater resilience against Russian assaults, particularly on critical infrastructure such as power grids. Puri noted that this could provide Ukraine a strategic advantage as it prepares for harsher winter conditions and continued Russian missile and drone attacks.
As this development unfolds, tensions between the U.S., NATO, and Russia appear poised to escalate, with potential consequences not only for Ukraine but for broader global stability.
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