Ukraine-Russia latest: Putin’s forces hit with first ATACMS long-range missiles after US decision, Moscow says
Russian president Vladimir Putin has lowered the bar for using nuclear weapons
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Your support makes all the difference.Ukraine has launched its first American-supplied long-range missile strike against Vladimir Putin’s forces, according to Moscow.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said that that Ukraine fired six U.S.-made ATACMs missiles at Russia’s Bryansk region. In a statement reported by Russian news agencies, the ministry said it shot down five of them and damaged one more.
Use of the missiles was also reported in the Ukrainian media, but Kyiv has not commented.
The announcement comes after U.S. president Joe Biden authorised Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles to strike hundreds of miles inside Russia for the first time.
It comes as Putin has signed a revised nuclear doctrine to lower the bar for future nuclear weapon use.
The updated doctrine, first announced in September but signed by Putin this week, declares that an attack using conventional weapons by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power will now be considered a joint attack on Russia. It does not specify whether a joint attack will trigger a nuclear response.
But the doctrine does declare that a massive aerial attack against Russia could trigger a nuclear response.
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Full report: Furious Kremlin – and Trump allies – attack Biden’s ‘escalation’ of Ukraine war
Joe Biden’s decision to let Ukraine strike targets inside Russia with US-made long-range missiles is an “escalation” of the conflict, Moscow said on Monday as it warned use of the weapons would trigger a “tangible” response.
The Kremlin reacted with fury after the US president eased limits on what targets Kyiv can strike using the American-made Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS.
My colleague Alastair Jamieson has the full report:
Kremlin and Trump allies attack Biden’s ‘escalation’ of Ukraine war
Starmer promises to ‘double down’ as he faces pressure to follow suit with British weapons
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