Russian officials have escalated their rhetoric in an effort to dissuade the United States from formally authorizing Ukraine to use U.S.-provided ATACMS missiles in strikes against Russian and North Korean military targets in Kursk Oblast.
If confirmed, this U.S. decision would represent a limited response to Russia’s deployment of North Korean troops in its invasion of Ukraine.
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed on November 18 that allowing Ukraine to use ATACMS would amount to the U.S. “adding fuel to the fire” and would mark a “qualitative” escalation of U.S. involvement in the war.
READ: Biden’s Approval For Ukrainian Strikes Inside Russia Triggers Outrage, Warnings From Moscow
Peskov reiterated Russian President Vladimir Putin’s earlier warnings that Ukrainian strikes on Russia using Western-provided weapons would be considered a direct escalation involving NATO countries.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova echoed these sentiments, stating that such strikes would represent a “radical change in the nature of the war” and promised an “adequate and tangible” Russian response. Russian lawmakers further suggested that new weapons systems, potentially outlined in Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine, could be used against Ukraine in retaliation.
Russian officials and propagandists emphasized that U.S. officials have not yet publicly confirmed the ATACMS authorization, likely attempting to pressure the U.S. to withdraw the reported decision. Zakharova and state media figures questioned the credibility of Western media reports on the matter.
Ukraine and U.S. Remain Circumspect
Neither Ukrainian nor U.S. officials have confirmed the reports of ATACMS authorization. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hinted at upcoming actions, stating on November 17 that “missiles will speak for themselves,” while U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor Jonathan Finer pointed out that Russia escalated the conflict first by deploying North Korean troops and launching extensive missile strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure.
Axios reported that the Biden administration’s reported decision to approve limited ATACMS use is intended to deter North Korea from deploying additional troops to Russia. U.S. officials reportedly hope that targeting North Korean forces in Kursk Oblast could dissuade Pyongyang from deepening its involvement in the conflict.
French and UK Clarifications on Long-Range Missiles
While reports of U.S. permissions for ATACMS use emerged, France and the UK clarified on November 18 that their SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles are not included in the reported authorization. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that France remains open to allowing Ukraine to use its long-range missiles for strikes in Russia but has not yet granted such permissions.
The UK similarly emphasized that its Storm Shadow missiles have different military specifications and remain restricted from use in Russian territory without joint agreement among the U.S., UK, and France.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.