This week saw a crucial milestone in the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has now lasted over 1,000 days. Six ballistic missiles targeted Tuesday morning by Ukraine, launched from US-supplied long-range long-range ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missiles, struck deep into Russia’s Bryansk region. This was a significant turning point in the war since it was the first time Kyiv used American-made missiles to strike deep into Russian territory.
What happened?
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the attack happened on Tuesday at 3:25 am local time. Five of the six missiles were reportedly intercepted by Russia’s air defenses, with fragments of a damaged missile falling on a military facility and causing a fire that was put out later. There were no reported casualties or serious damage.
However, this development comes just days after US President Joe Biden reportedly authorized Ukraine to use these long-range missiles. This decision essentially gives Kyiv the green light to target deeper within Russian territory, a move that Ukraine quickly acted upon.
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A Turning Point in the War
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been pushing for such weapons for months, arguing that they are a key part of his “victory plan.” With these advanced weapons in hand, Ukraine appears to be sending a strong message to Moscow, it will not back down and will take the fight to Russian soil. Zelenskyy even remarked, “Missiles will speak for themselves,” implying that actions, not words, will decide this war.
But step back for a moment—is this escalation-wise?
My Opinion: A Dangerous Gamble
Honestly, I feel like this situation is teetering on the edge of something much bigger—and much more dangerous. Allowing Ukraine to strike deeper into Russia feels like fueling a fire that could burn uncontrollably.
I also believe that perhaps Zelenskyy and Biden are pushing too hard and may potentially unleash something catastrophic. While Biden may think that what he does to this strategy will strengthen Ukraine’s defense system, I fear that it may provoke Russia into something much worse—nuclear retaliation. If that ever happened, the only person to blame for such a disaster would be Joe Biden. His decision to provide those missiles, knowing they might be used offensively, seems very reckless.
Putin’s Reaction: A Bold Warning
Russian President Vladimir Putin was quick to respond. Days after the missile strike, he ratified changes in Moscow’s nuclear doctrine that widened the circumstances under which Russia could use nuclear weapons. According to a new doctrine, any aggression from a state that is not armed with nuclear weapons, and that is especially supported by a nuclear state like the US, will be treated as a direct attack on Russia. This policy shift, therefore, underlines the seriousness of the situation and acts as a chilling warning for the West.
The Larger Context: North Korea Enters the Picture
The matters are complicated by reports that North Korean troops have been operating in the northern part of Ukraine’s border in Russia’s Kursk region. The US State Department called this a “major escalation,” said to be “an unusual move for an Asian military in a European conflict.” This moves the country’s alliances into question and strategy to neutralize any further advances by Ukraine.
My Advice
- Leaders need to think long-term. I think Zelenskyy’s desire to “win” at all costs and Biden’s approval of these missiles might create short-term gains but could ultimately lead to a global crisis.
- The US should tread carefully. While supporting Ukraine is important, pushing Russia into a corner could lead to unimaginable consequences.
- Diplomacy must remain on the table. A continued focus on weapons and warfare is a risky gamble that could spiral out of control.
Final Thoughts
Things have escalated dangerously in the past few days. If a nuclear war were to break out, it would probably be one of the darkest chapters in human history, and I firmly believe that the responsibility would lie squarely with Joe Biden for enabling this course of action.
What do you think about these developments? Do you believe Ukraine’s bold actions are justified, or do you share my concerns about a possible nuclear conflict? Let me know in the comments below!
Minutes by M31GlobalNews
