Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that Ukraine’s missile attacks on Russian territory, using US-made ATACMS, signal increased US military involvement. Following a missile strike on a military site in Bryansk, which resulted in no casualties, Lavrov described the situation as a new phase of Western aggression. Reports indicate that the US has allowed Ukraine to use longer-range weapons, intensifying the conflict. Concurrently, President Putin announced a revised nuclear doctrine in response to the ongoing war and Western support for Ukraine.
Lavrov’s Warning Following Ukrainian Missile Attack
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has issued a stern warning in response to the recent Ukrainian shelling of Russian territory utilizing ATACMS missiles. He stated, “If longer-range missiles are deployed from Ukraine towards Russian soil, it indicates the involvement of US military experts.” This announcement follows an incident where Kyiv launched six ballistic missiles at a military facility located in the Bryansk border region.
Details of the Attack and Response
Several state-run Russian news agencies reported Lavrov’s comments, where he characterized the situation as a new phase in what he described as a “Western war against Russia.” Upon returning from the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, he emphasized that Russia would respond appropriately to this provocation.
According to reports from the Russian Ministry of Defense, five of the missiles were intercepted, while one was damaged. The debris from the missile fell on a military installation, leading to a fire. Fortunately, there were no casualties or significant damage reported from the attack, as confirmed by Moscow’s ministry.
RIA Novosti detailed the attack, noting that the missiles were launched at 3:25 AM and were confirmed to be US-made ATACMS. Other Russian agencies, including TASS and Interfax, echoed this information. The Kremlin views this incident as a considerable escalation, coinciding with the 1,000th day of the ongoing conflict. Explosions near Karachev were also reported on military blogs and social media channels, indicating heightened tensions in the area, which is located approximately 115 kilometers from Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Claims and International Reactions
Reports from Kyiv suggest that a Russian weapons depot near Karachev was targeted, with Ukrainian media outlets claiming it was the first strike using US-supplied ATACMS missiles. However, there has been no official confirmation from Ukrainian authorities regarding the type of weapon employed. The Ukrainian General Staff and military intelligence have yet to respond to inquiries about the attack.
Recent media reports indicate that the US has authorized Ukraine to deploy weapons with ranges of up to 300 kilometers against Russian targets, a decision interpreted as a reaction to the alleged involvement of North Korean troops on Russia’s side. The Kremlin perceives this action as an escalation and an indication of deeper entanglement by the US and its Western allies in the ongoing conflict.
Previously, Ukraine could only use HIMARS rocket artillery from the US against targets just behind the Russian border. This policy change has drawn criticism from some political figures, including former President Donald Trump, regarding the outgoing Biden administration’s decisions.
Putin’s Nuclear Doctrine and Ongoing Conflict
On the same day as the Ukrainian missile attack, Russian President Vladimir Putin unveiled a revised nuclear weapons doctrine. The new doctrine reflects the evolving war situation and the deteriorating relations with the West. It includes new threat scenarios under which Russia might resort to nuclear capabilities, replacing the previous version from 2020.
Notably, the updated doctrine asserts that aggression from a non-nuclear state backed by nuclear powers will be considered a joint attack on Russia, addressing the military support Ukraine receives from the US, UK, and France.
In a video address to the European Parliament, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged European leaders to take more assertive measures against Russia, asserting that Putin is determined to win the war and will not cease his actions voluntarily. He emphasized that every moment counts in applying pressure on Russia.
Meanwhile, reports from Moscow indicate that the Russian military continues to make advances in eastern Ukraine, recently capturing the village of Novoselydiivka. Since August, Russian forces have been steadily gaining ground in the region, marking their most significant territorial gains since the onset of the conflict in 2022.