Ukraine used i for the first time American Atacms long-range missiles to strike deep into Russian territory, on the day Moscow adopted a new one nuclear doctrine which makes atomic retaliation possible even in the event of a massive missile attack from Ukrainian territory.
Moscow’s Defense Ministry reported that Kiev forces launched six overnight Atacms on the Russian border region of Bryansk, two days after the rumors published by New York Times according to which Washington has given authorization to use the carriers. Five were shot down by defense systems Pantsir And S-400added the Russian ministry, while a sixth was hit, with debris damaging a “military structure”, causing a fire. No deaths or injuries were reported.
Ukrainian bombings and Russian accusations
Previously, the command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces announced a bombing of an ammunition depot near Karachevabout 130 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, but without confirming the use of American missiles. A military source cited by the newspaper RBC Ukraine instead he declared that the Atacms had been used.
Ukraine has “long-range capabilities and we will use all this,” the president said Volodymyr Zelensky. The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrovfrom the G20 in Rio de Janeiroinstead accused the United States of a direct attack, calling it a “qualitative” leap in the conflict.
New Russian nuclear doctrine
The new Russian nuclear doctrine, signed by the president Vladimir Putinprovides that atomic weapons be used as an “extreme and last resort measure” for defensive purposes. However, it expands its use to respond to a possible “critical threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Russia or Belarushis close ally. Furthermore, attacks by non-nuclear states with the support of nuclear states will be considered joint aggression.
Asked whether this includes nuclear responses to Western missiles used by Ukraine, the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskovconfirmed: “Yes, it is mentioned.” However, he clarified that the use of nuclear weapons is limited to scenarios of massive attacks on Russia by air and missile means violating the state border.
International reactions
There White House He called the new Russian nuclear doctrine “irresponsible rhetoric” but added that there is no need to review the American nuclear posture. At the same time, the Kremlin has sent conciliatory signals towards the next US president, underlining the possibility of dialogue with Donald Trumpif he was willing to listen to Russian reasons.
Russian advances in eastern Ukraine
The Atacms attacks did not stop the advance of Russian troops in eastern Ukraine. Moscow claimed the conquest of the village of Novoselidovkain the region of Donetsknorth of Kurakhovo. The Ukrainian authorities, however, reported a Russian bombing in the northern region of Sumywhich hit a dormitory in the town of Glukhovcausing 12 deaths, including a child.