Russia vows a ‘tangible’ response if US missiles are used against its territory

Russia says the use of US long-range missiles by Ukraine will lead to a “appropriate and concrete” response.

Such an attack inside Russian territory “would represent the direct involvement of the United States and its satellites in the fight against Russia”, the foreign ministry statement said.

President Joe Biden has authorized the use of missiles against Russian targets in a major shift in US policy – two months before he leaves the White House.

It is not yet clear whether the person who will replace him, Donald Trump, was consulted, or whether he will stick to this decision as he has promised to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Ukraine has a US ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) with a range of 300km (190 miles) – as well as French and British Storm Shadow missiles of the same range – but Western allies have prevented Kyiv from hit Russia with it.

Biden’s decision to remove that status is a significant moment in the war, which marks its 1000th anniversary on Tuesday.

It came at a time when Russia intensified its attack on Ukraine’s infrastructure as the sides appeared to have reached a stalemate on the battlefield.

The US decision also follows the arrival in the Kursk region of Russia – where the Ukrainian army captured and held a small area – of more than 10,000 soldiers from North Korea to help the forces of President Vladimir Putin.

Unconfirmed reports say that North Korea may send up to 100,000 troops, in addition to weapons and other weapons to its allies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hinted that there might not be an official announcement of the US deal – “the missiles will speak for themselves,” he said on Sunday.

Ukraine may use ATACMS in Kursk first – in fact some reports suggest the US may limit its use there as a signal to North Korea to stop sending aid to Russia and Moscow itself.

Biden’s authorization of these long-range missiles – which could be followed by similar authorizations by the UK and France – is seen in the West as a way to show the Russian leader that he cannot win the war in Ukraine militarily.

Putin did not comment on the latest move.

In September, the Russian leader said that the use of such missiles by Ukraine would represent “direct participation” of NATO countries in the war.

On Monday, Putin’s spokesman said the US was “adding fuel to the fire”.

But Jon Finer, the US’s deputy national security adviser, said Washington had made it clear “to the Russians that we will respond” – both to the presence of North Korean troops and the “significant increase” in Russian airstrikes on infrastructure across Ukraine.

Over the weekend there was a heavy attack by Russia against the Ukrainian electricity grid, causing massive blackouts. Several people were killed or injured.

On Monday, a Russian strike in Odesa killed another ten people and injured nearly 50.

Donald Trump has not reacted to Biden’s decision so far.

He won on November 5th and will return to the White House on January 20th.

Trump has promised to end America’s involvement in foreign wars and use taxpayer money to improve the lives of Americans.

He also said he would end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours, but did not give details on how.

Zelensky recently said he expects Trump to put pressure on Ukraine and Russia to agree on a peace deal within the next year.