Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

Ukraine-Russia latest: Furious Moscow vows response if US missiles used as 1,000 days of war clocked

Ukraine crosses grim mark of 1,000 days of Russian invasion today

Rachel Hagan,Arpan Rai
Tuesday 19 November 2024 04:04 GMT
Comments
Remains of car that exploded in Sevastopol killing Russian naval officer

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A furious Russia has vowed to respond to president Joe Biden’s decision to let Ukraine strike targets inside Russia with US-supplied longer-range missiles, saying Washington is adding “fuel to the fire” of the war as it clocked its 1,000th day today.

“It is obvious that the outgoing administration in Washington intends to take steps, and they have been talking about this, to continue adding fuel to the fire and provoking further escalation of tensions around this conflict,” spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

Mr Peskov referred journalists to Vladimir Putin’s previous remarks where the Russian president said such a move “will mean Nato countries – the US and European countries – are at war with Russia”.

This comes as Kyiv crossed the grim mark of 1,000 days of war today since Russia’s full-scale invasion, with weary troops battling on numerous fronts, Ukrainian cities besieged by frequent drone and missile strikes, and officials preparing for Donald Trump to reclaim the White House in January.

Military losses have been catastrophic, although they remain closely guarded secrets. Public Western estimates based on intelligence reports vary widely, but most say hundreds of thousands have been killed or wounded on each side.

Putin ally threatens use of ‘new’ weapons against Ukraine

An ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin has vowed to employ “new” military systems against Ukraine if Kyiv uses American long-range missiles to attack Russia.

The head of Russia’s lower house of parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, said that Kyiv has already used long-range missiles to hit Russian targets but did not elaborate on the weaponry.

Mr Volodin went on to say that Ukraine’s continued deployment of the weapons would “completely destroy Russian-American relations.”

Mr Putin previously warned that allowing Kyiv to fire long-range missiles at targets inside Russia would constitute Nato’s direct involvement in the conflict.

Rachel Hagan18 November 2024 14:25

Donald Trump Jr accuse Biden of trying to start WWIII

Marjorie Taylor Greene and Donald Trump Jr have accused President Joe Biden of trying to start World War III after he gave Ukraine the green light to use US-supplied long-range supersonic missiles to strike inside Russia for the first time.

The Biden administration’s granting of Kyiv’s request to use the ATACMS missiles outside of its own borders marks a change in stance in the president’s final days in office, before President-elect Donald Trump – who has indicated he will limit US support for Ukraine – returns to the White House in January.

The MAGA representative and Donald Trump’s eldest son lashed out at Biden’s decision in fiery posts on X.

“On his way out of office, Joe Biden is dangerously trying to start WWIII by authorizing Ukraine the use of U.S. long range missiles into Russia,” Greene, who is among the Republicans who want to cut US aid to Ukraine, posted on Sunday.

“The Military Industrial Complex seems to want to make sure they get World War 3 going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives,” Trump Jr said.

James Liddell 18 November 2024 14:02

UK announces new sanctions against Iran for aiding Russia in Ukraine war

In reaction to Iran’s delivery of ballistic missiles to Russia, Iran Air, the country’s flag carrier, will have its assets frozen.

The Russian cargo ship PORT OLYA-3 has been sanctioned for transferring missiles from Iran to Russia, and the shipping company Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines has also been sanctioned for its involvement in moving Iranian military equipment.

Foreign secretary David Lammy is expected to address the new sanctions as he speaks at the United Nations Security Council in New York on Monday.

He is expected to say: “Alongside our international partners, we were clear that any transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia would face a significant response.

“We reiterate our call on Iran to cease its support for Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine which continues to bring devastation to the Ukrainian people. We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”

Rachel Hagan18 November 2024 13:49

British government refuses to reveal if it will follow US missile ban lift

A Downing Street spokeswoman refused to say whether its ongoing support for Ukraine would include allowing UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to be fired at targets in Russia.

“So, our support in Ukraine is ironclad and will continue on that basis. But as to the specifics of the support that we provide ... we won’t get into speculation or a commentary on operational discussions.

“It also remains the case that no war was ever won with one single piece of kit.”

Rachel Hagan18 November 2024 13:33

The UK will ‘double down’ to ensure Ukraine is gets ‘support that it needs for as long as it needs'

The UK will “double down” to ensure Ukraine is “provided with the support that it needs for as long as it needs”.

A No 10 spokeswoman said: “In recent days we’ve seen (Vladimir) Putin reach new depths of depravity, systematically attacking energy infrastructure, depriving families from warmth and light, and killing civilians through drone and missile attacks in what is an ongoing illegal war.”

Downing Street said the UK Government wanted to put Ukraine in the “strongest possible position going into the winter to defend its sovereign territory”.

Rachel Hagan18 November 2024 13:30

Further deaths in Odesa

We reported earlier on the strike in Odesa and now the casualty figures have gone up.

In a short statement on Telegram, Odesa’s police force says ten people are now confirmed to have been killed following a Russian missile attack.

Of these, they say that seven are “policemen”, another is a medic, and two were “local residents”.

Another 39 people have been injured with “varying degrees of severity” including four children and 14 law enforcement officers, the police force adds.

Rachel Hagan18 November 2024 13:18

What is the Storm Shadow cruise missile? The British weapon Ukraine wants to hit Russia

Joe Biden’s green light, according to US officials, for Ukraine to use US-made long-range missiles to target inside Russia opens the door for the UK to authorise the use of Britain’s own long-range Storm Shadow missiles into Russia.

Storm Shadow is an Anglo-French cruise missile with a maximum range of around 155 miles (250km). The French call it Scalp. After launch, the weapon, equipped with its navigation system, descends to a low altitude to avoid detection before locking on to its target using an infra-red seeker. On the final approach, the missile climbs to a higher altitude to maximise the chances of hitting the target.

What is the Storm Shadow cruise missile? The UK weapon Ukraine wants to hit Russia

The missile carries a range of around 155 miles and is designed to evade detection despite flying low after being launched

Rachel Hagan18 November 2024 13:00

Ukraine brings back long rolling power cuts after major Russian strike

Ukrainians in the Black Sea port city of Odesa on Monday morning had been without power for 24 hours and further cuts were planned across the country after a massive Russian missile strike over the weekend damaged energy infrastructure.

Russia unleashed its largest missile attack on Ukraine in almost three months on Sunday, killing seven people and further hobbling an already damaged energy system.

"The situation is most difficult in Odesa and Odesa district. Unfortunately, it is not yet technically possible to supply power to the critical infrastructure in the Kyivskyi and Primorskyi districts of the city," power distributor DTEK wrote on the Telegram messenger.

Russia has attacked the Odesa region for months, hitting port and energy infrastructure.

Odesa after the attack
Odesa after the attack (EPA)
Rachel Hagan18 November 2024 12:45

Russian forces capture village in eastern Ukraine, RIA reports

Russian forces have taken control of the village of Novooleksiivka in eastern Ukraine‘s Donetsk region, the RIA state news agency reported on Monday, citing the Defence Ministry.

Reuters could not independently confirm the battlefield report.

Rachel Hagan18 November 2024 12:30

Zelensky condemns ‘barbaric’ Russian strike on Odesa

Ukranian president Volodymur Zelensky has condemned Monday’s Russian strike on Odesa, which has killed at least eight people, including one child.

Mr Zelensky said the only way to “stop this terror” was to elimnate Russia’s ability to launch attacks, following US president Joe Biden’s decision to let Ukraine strike targets inside Russia with US-supplied long-range missiles. In a statement posted to X, Mr Zelensky added: “Today, Russia struck Odesa with a missile—deliberately targeting a residential area.

“As a result of this barbaric act, innocent lives were lost, and many people were injured—lives that could have been saved if we had the capability to destroy Russian launch systems, supply chains, arsenals, and war factories at their source.

“It is not just defense; it is justice—the right way to protect our people. Any nation under the attack would act this way to defend its citizens. We must do the same, together with our partners. Russia must be left with no capacity for terror. The time to act is now.”

Tom Barnes18 November 2024 12:21

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in