Moscow says Ukrainian forces launched six US-made ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) on Russian soil on Tuesday, taking advantage of President Biden’s green light.
Russia says it shot down five missiles and damaged a sixth. It added that debris fell in the area of a Russian military installation, but there was no loss of life or property apart from a small fire. Fox News Digital confirmed the attack with a US official.
Ukraine did not immediately confirm the use of ATACMS on Tuesday, but officials announced the attack on a military installation in Russia’s Bryansk region, the same region where Moscow says the missiles landed.
The attack came just two days after President Biden authorized the use of US long-range missiles on Russian soil by Ukraine, in what Russian President Putin had previously indicated would be an act of war.
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The US has approved Ukraine’s use of ATACMS on Russian soil. (John Hamilton/US Army via AP, File)
According to a senior US official, Biden’s decision was prompted by Russia’s decision to invite 10,000 North Korean troops to fight against Ukraine in Kursk. Another official told Fox it was unclear whether Biden intended to authorize the use of missiles outside the Kursk region.
According to French outlet Le Figaro, the announcement comes after Britain and France authorized SCALP/Storm Shadow missile strikes against Ukraine.
Putin has previously said that giving Ukraine the green light to use missiles would effectively mean that the US and NATO are “at war.”
Putin previously warned Biden and other Western countries not to expand Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles. (AP Photo/Carolyn Castor)
“Flight assignments for these missile systems, in fact, can only be entered by military personnel from NATO countries. The Ukrainian military cannot do that. And therefore, it would allow the Ukrainian government to attack Russia with these weapons.” “It’s not a question of whether or not NATO countries participate in a direct military conflict,” Putin said in September.
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He added that if this decision is taken, it will mean no less than the direct participation of NATO countries, the United States and European countries in the war in Ukraine.
Putin has yet to react to Ukraine’s alleged use of ATACMS on Russian soil. (GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
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Meanwhile, President-elect Trump The transitional team is expected to soon announce a peace envoy to help negotiate between Ukraine and Russia. Trump argued during the campaign that he could resolve the conflict before entering office.
Fox News’ Liz Frieden contributed to this report.
