Moscow has announced preparations for retaliatory actions following accusations that Ukraine conducted a series of ATACMS missile strikes on Russian territory.
The Russian military pledged a response after what it described as air attacks using U.S.-supplied missiles on November 23 and 25. "Retaliatory actions are being prepared," the defense ministry stated on Telegram, offering no further details. In a rare acknowledgment, Russia admitted that the strikes caused damage to military equipment and resulted in injuries among its personnel.
One attack on the Kursk Vostochny airbase reportedly injured two servicemen, while another targeting an air defense battery damaged a radar system and caused additional casualties. According to the ministry, three of five missiles in the first strike and seven of eight in the second strike were intercepted.
Typically, Moscow avoids disclosing specific details about Ukrainian attacks, especially successful ones. However, the defense ministry shared images of missile fragments marked with English inscriptions, highlighting the involvement of U.S.-supplied weapons. The U.S. granted Ukraine permission to target Russian territory with these weapons just over a week ago, following Kyiv's persistent requests.
These developments follow Ukraine's first use of the long-range ATACMS missiles on Russian territory last week. Notably, a massive explosion at an ammunition depot in Russia’s Bryansk region, about 75 miles from the Ukrainian border, marked the 1,000th day of the conflict.
The situation escalates amidst warnings from the Kremlin about a potential "nuclear response" to Western-supplied long-range munitions striking Russian soil. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Russia could use nuclear weapons if attacked with conventional arms by non-nuclear nations supported by nuclear powers. An updated Russian nuclear doctrine supports such measures.
The possibility of further escalation looms as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasizes 2025 as a pivotal year in the war. Speaking to Parliament, Zelensky declared, "In the decisive moments—and they are coming next year—we must not allow anyone in the world to doubt the resilience of our state. At this stage, it is being decided who will prevail."
Ukraine has also reportedly deployed British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles against Russian targets. On November 20, 12 missiles struck sites in Kursk, including an underground control room allegedly housing Russian and North Korean military officials. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer authorized the strikes, marking the first time these weapons have been used in Russia. The Storm Shadow missiles, equipped with advanced GPS targeting and designed to evade air defenses, have significantly expanded Ukraine's strike capabilities.
In retaliation, Russia launched its Oreshnik hypersonic missile at Ukraine on November 21. The missile, capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads and reaching speeds exceeding 8,000 mph, targeted Dnipro. Ukrainian President Zelensky condemned the attack as a severe escalation and called on international allies to respond.
Amid growing fears of a broader conflict, Ukraine’s former military chief, Valery Zaluzhny, declared that World War III has already begun, citing the involvement of North Korean, Iranian, and Chinese support for Russia. Reports indicate that around 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to support Russian forces in the Kursk region.
Russia’s ambassador to the UK has accused Britain of being "directly involved" in the war following the Storm Shadow missile strikes. Addressing these allegations, UK Prime Minister Starmer refuted claims of direct involvement, stating, "We’re not at war, but Ukraine certainly is." He urged an end to the aggression, emphasizing that the conflict could conclude if Putin ceased hostilities.
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