According to the latest news, CCTV News cited Ukrainian media reports that on November 19th local time, Ukrainian troops used the US Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) for the first time to attack a facility in Bryansk Oblast, Russia.
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Previously, multiple US media outlets reported that the Biden administration had authorized Ukraine to use American made long-range weapons to strike deep into Russia. In response, the Russian side stated that the authorization by the United States for Ukraine to use American long-range weapons to strike Russia would escalate the conflict, and Russia would have to respond. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova stated that this means a fundamental change in the nature and nature of the conflict. Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) Chairman Volodin stated that Russia will not rule out the possibility of using new weapon systems.
Renowned Dutch political scientist Overbeck believes that the Biden administration's authorization for Ukraine to use American long-range weapons to strike Russia's mainland is entirely politically motivated and is digging a hole for President elect Trump, which could lead to serious consequences.
US lifts ban on Ukraine using US weapons to launch deep attacks on Russia
On the evening of November 19th, according to CCTV News citing Ukrainian media reports, Ukrainian troops used the US Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) for the first time to attack a facility in Bryansk Oblast, Russia. At present, there has been no response from the Ukrainian authorities or the Russian side regarding this matter.
Previously, multiple US media outlets reported that the US government has lifted restrictions on Ukraine using US provided weapons to strike targets within Russian territory, authorizing Ukraine for the first time to use US made Army tactical missile systems against Russian territory. As of now, the White House has not responded.
The New York Times, CNN, and other media outlets, citing US officials and other sources, reported that Ukraine plans to conduct its first long-range strike in the coming days, with targets possibly in the Kursk Oblast of Russia. However, according to a report by the American Aksios News Network, these Army tactical missile systems are only authorized for use in Kursk state.
Regarding the above report, Ukrainian President Zelensky stated on the evening of the 17th that strikes are not achieved through words, and such matters do not need to be announced in advance. Missiles will issue statements in their own way.
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Borrell, stated that Kiev has indeed been authorized by the United States to attack Russia within a depth of 300 kilometers. Borelli pointed out that this is "better than nothing, but it's also nothing. Yes, the Biden administration has authorized the use of weapons transferred to Ukraine within a 300 kilometer radius of Russia, which is better than nothing, "said Borrell at a press conference held in Brussels after the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of EU member states." I am not surprised by the 300 kilometer radius, but it is the decision of the Biden administration. I don't know why it is now, not before the US presidential election
On November 18th local time, Slovak Prime Minister Fizo expressed opposition to media reports from the United States and other countries stating that the US government has authorized Ukraine to use long-range weapons provided by the US to strike targets within Russian territory. Fizo said, "This will cause an unprecedented escalation of tension, and this decision will destroy the hope of peace negotiations and ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict". Fizo stated that he has instructed the country's Foreign Minister and Defense Minister not to support this decision in any way.
Renowned Dutch political scientist and professor at the Free University of Amsterdam, Overbeck, believes that the Biden administration's authorization for Ukraine to use American long-range weapons to strike Russia is entirely politically motivated and is digging a hole for President elect Trump, which could lead to serious consequences.
Due to the fact that most of the US made long-range guided weapons rely on satellites to provide coordinates, US personnel may need to calibrate and operate these data on site, which is also unacceptable to the Russian side. Overbeck said that in the context of the stalemate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, this decision that affects the negotiation intentions of both sides is more like digging a hole for President elect Trump of the United States.
Overbeck said that in the context of the willingness of both sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict to express peace talks, the motivation of the Biden government to promote the use of long-range weapons is puzzling. He believes that this move may lead to Russia launching attacks on the supply lines of the United States and Western countries to Ukraine, triggering further escalation of the situation.
Russia responds: The nature of the conflict will undergo fundamental changes
According to Western media reports, the United States allows Ukraine to use US Army tactical missiles, while France and Britain allow Ukraine to use the "SCALP" and "Storm Shadow" missiles respectively to strike the Russian hinterland. On November 18th local time, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova stated that it is currently unclear whether these reports are based on official sources. But obviously, the United States and the West are betting on maximizing the escalation of their mixed war against Russia, attempting to achieve the illusory goal of "strategically defeating Russia".
Zakharova said that Russian President Putin had previously expressed Russia's position on the possibility of the West authorizing Ukraine to use long-range weapons to strike Russian territory. Putin has stated that using long-range missiles to strike targets within Russia requires satellite intelligence and the establishment of missile flight path programs, which can only be operated by NATO military personnel. Without the assistance of Western countries, Ukraine cannot independently carry out strikes on deep targets within Russian territory.
Zakharova emphasized that Ukraine's use of long-range missiles to attack Russian territory means that the United States is directly involved in actions against Russia, and also signifies a fundamental change in the nature and nature of the conflict. In this situation, Russia will provide a corresponding and significant response.
Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov stated on the 18th that Russia has taken note of reports from Western media that the United States allows Ukraine to use American made long-range weapons to strike Russia's hinterland. If the US really makes the above decision and communicates it to the Ukrainian government, a new round of tension will arise. Peskov emphasized that Russian President Putin and the Russian side have made very clear and explicit statements regarding the possible use of Western long-range weapons by Ukraine.
Putin has previously stated that this is not a matter of allowing or not allowing Ukraine to use these weapons to strike Russia, but rather a decision on whether NATO countries should be directly involved in military conflict. If this decision is made, it means that NATO countries, the United States, and European countries will directly participate in the war in Ukraine. Their direct involvement will fundamentally change the nature of the conflict, which will mean war between NATO countries, the United States, European countries, and Russia. If that's the case, then considering the changing nature of this conflict, we will make appropriate decisions based on the threat it poses to us.
On November 18th local time, the Chairman of the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament), Volodyne, stated that if the United States allows Ukraine to use American long-range missiles to strike the Russian hinterland, Russia will have to respond.
Volodin stated that how to respond is the responsibility of the Russian Ministry of Defense, but it is clear that Russia will respond. Russia will not rule out the possibility of using a new weapon system, which has never been used on Ukrainian territory.
Volodin said that the Russian side is aware that the next step may be a response from the United States, and a subsequent response from the Russian side is inevitable, which is called "escalation". Volodin stated that Western weapons have already been used, and expanding their scope of use may cause damage and will not change the situation on the battlefield. He said that this will only worsen Ukraine's fate and future, and ultimately destroy the Russia US relationship.
Latest progress in the Russia-Ukraine conflict
On the 18th, the Russian Ministry of Defense released a war report stating that in the past 24 hours, the Russian military has attacked 135 areas where Ukrainian military forces and equipment gather, as well as infrastructure at several military airports, energy facilities that support the operation of Ukrainian military enterprises, drone operator training grounds, and drone warehouses, shooting down 106 drones.
The Russian Ministry of Defense also stated that within one day, the Russian military eliminated 420 Ukrainian soldiers in the Kursk border area, destroying 2 American made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, 1 German made Weasel infantry fighting vehicle, 4 armored fighting vehicles, 1 German made PzH-2000 self-propelled artillery, 1 Acacia self-propelled artillery, 1 D-20 howitzer, and 3 D-30 howitzers. 24 Ukrainian soldiers surrendered.
On the 18th, the Military and Political Administration of Odessa Oblast in Ukraine reported that the city of Odessa was attacked by Russian missiles, resulting in 10 deaths and dozens of injuries. Ukrainian President Zelensky posted on social media accusing the Russian military of the attack.
According to the Russian news agency Sputnik, Linda Thomas Greenfield, the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations, stated that the United States will announce more military assistance to Ukraine in the coming days. She said at the United Nations Security Council meeting, "The United States continues to increase its security assistance to Ukraine, including providing artillery, anti-aircraft equipment, armored equipment, and other necessary weapons and ammunition. We will announce more security assistance to Ukraine in the coming days
On the 18th local time, the UN Security Council held a high-level meeting on the 1000 day conflict between Russia-Ukraine conflict. Rosemary DiCarlo, the Under Secretary General of the United Nations for Political and Peace building Affairs, said that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has lasted for 1000 days and caused serious civilian casualties.
She stated that regardless of their stance, all parties must ensure the safety of civilians is protected. DeCarlo stated that Ukraine's infrastructure is currently suffering from systematic damage, the humanitarian crisis is still ongoing, tensions in the Black Sea region are exacerbating global food security issues, and military activities near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant pose a high risk of nuclear accidents, which could have catastrophic consequences. She called on all parties to end the conflict, and the United Nations was also prepared to support the achievement of a lasting and comprehensive peace solution.