Russia vows retaliation over U.S. long-range missiles in Ukraine

Russia has issued a stark warning, vowing a “tangible” response if Ukraine uses U.S.-supplied long-range missiles against its territory. Moscow claims such an attack would signify “direct involvement” by the United States and its allies in the war, according to a statement from Russia’s Foreign Ministry.

The move follows President Joe Biden’s decision to approve the use of ATACMS missiles by Ukraine, marking a major policy shift just two months before he leaves office. Biden’s approval lifts previous restrictions that barred Kyiv from targeting Russian territory with Western-supplied weaponry.

The announcement, coinciding with the war’s 1,000th day, underscores the intensifying geopolitical stakes. Russia’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused the U.S. of “adding oil to the fire,” while Biden’s deputy national security adviser, Jon Finer, defended the decision, saying, “We have made it clear to the Russians that we would respond” to escalating Russian attacks and North Korea’s growing military support for Moscow.

Unconfirmed reports suggest North Korea has sent more than 10,000 troops to bolster Russian forces in Ukraine’s Kursk region, with speculation of further reinforcements to follow. Washington’s move to supply long-range missiles is being interpreted as a strategic signal to both Moscow and Pyongyang.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hinted at the significance of the weapons, stating, *“The missiles will speak for themselves.”* Initial reports suggest Ukraine may deploy the ATACMS in the contested Kursk region, potentially testing the U.S. policy’s new boundaries.

The conflict continues to escalate as Russia ramps up attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. Over the weekend, intensified strikes caused widespread blackouts, while Monday’s bombing of Odesa killed 10 and injured nearly 50.

The U.S. decision also adds pressure on President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to end U.S. involvement in foreign wars and promised to resolve the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours of taking office. How Trump navigates the complex dynamics remains uncertain, with analysts questioning whether he will maintain Biden’s policy or pivot toward a negotiated settlement.

As the war grinds on, the missile deployment highlights the deepening involvement of global powers and raises the stakes for what many fear could become a broader conflict.