The US President Joe Biden has given permission for Ukraine to use American long-range missiles to target military sites deep inside Russia. This decision is a significant shift in US policy, with Ukraine likely to use the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) against Russian and North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region, according to a source cited by the New York Times.
Russian officials have expressed strong concerns about this development, with a close ally of Vladimir Putin warning that the Biden administration is escalating the situation to the point of risking World War III. Lawmaker Vladimir Dzhabarov stated, “This is a very big step towards the start of World War III,” while another Russian official, Andrei Klishas, warned that the West’s actions could lead to Ukraine losing its statehood entirely.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to the news by emphasizing that actions speak louder than words, stating, “Missiles will speak for themselves. They certainly will.” This comes amid escalating tensions in the region, with fears of a potential conflict involving NATO forces.
In September, Russian President Putin had already cautioned that any lifting of the ban on long-range missiles by the US would be viewed as NATO’s direct preparation for war. US Senator Mike Lee also expressed concern, warning that Biden’s decision could set the stage for World War III and urging for caution to prevent such a catastrophic outcome.
The situation in Ukraine remains highly volatile, with the risk of a major conflict looming large. The use of long-range missiles by Ukraine, authorized by the US, has raised the stakes significantly and drawn strong reactions from both Russian and Western officials. As tensions continue to mount, the international community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to avoid the horrors of another world war.
