94Ha Viewpoint
The Kremlin has not immediately responded to the news that the United States allowed Ukraine to use U.S.-made long-range ballistic missiles to strike deep into Russian territory, but senior Russian officials warned that if the White House relaxes restrictions on Ukraine’s use of U.S. weapons, it will be seen as a major escalation of the situation.
Reuters reported that Vladimir Dzhabarov, first deputy chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian Upper House Federation Council, said that Washington’s decision to allow Kiev to strike deep into Russia could lead to “World War III.”
Andrei Klishas, a senior member of the Russian Upper House Federation Council, posted on the instant messaging app Telegram: “The West has decided to escalate the situation to such an extent that Ukraine’s national status may completely collapse tomorrow morning.”
Sources said Ukraine plans to launch its first long-range attack in the next few days, but they are reluctant to disclose details for operational security reasons.
Two U.S. officials and an insider familiar with the decision revealed on Sunday (November 17) that U.S. President Biden authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-made weapons to attack deep into Russia, a major reversal of Washington’s policy on the Russian-Ukrainian war.
U.S. officials said Biden allowed Ukraine to use Army Tactical Ballistic Missiles (ATACMS), a surface-to-surface missile system, to attack Russian territory. The White House said last year that the United States provided Ukraine with a shorter-range ATACMS that can hit targets within 165 kilometers.
Sources said Ukraine plans to launch its first long-range attack in the coming days, but would not disclose details for operational security reasons.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not confirm or deny Washington’s approval of Kiev’s use of long-range missiles to strike deep into Russia in his speech on Sunday evening, but he said the missiles “speak.”
