Ukraine Attack on Russia With US Missiles Could Lead To World War III | Explained

Washington has reversed its stance on allowing Ukraine to use US-made ATACMS missiles against Russian territory, a move that has raised concerns about the potential escalation of the conflict. The policy reversal comes two months before Donald Trump is set to take office, and it has sparked fears among Russian lawmakers that this could lead to World War III.

President Vladimir Putin had warned earlier that if Ukraine strikes Russian territory with Western-made long-range missiles, the West would be fighting Russia directly. He also said that such a move would alter the nature and scope of the conflict.

The outgoing Joe Biden administration had previously refused to allow such strikes against Russia due to fears of escalation. However, in a surprise move, Washington has now permitted Ukraine to use the missiles for limited strikes inside Russia.

Ukrainian officials have welcomed the move, seeing it as a way to counter Russian aggression. However, Trump's team is skeptical about the US aid to Ukraine and may not continue this policy, which could lead to unintended consequences.

"This military industrial complex seems to want to make sure they get World War Three going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives," said Donald Trump Jr, the son of President-elect Donald Trump. JD Vance, Trump's vice-president-elect, has also expressed concerns about US military aid to Ukraine.

The ATACMS missiles are powerful ballistic missiles that can strike targets 190 miles away. They were developed in the 1980s to destroy high-value Soviet targets and have been provided to Ukraine by the US.

The Russian government has warned of a tough response to US-authorized strikes by Kyiv on Russia with ATACMS missiles. Kremlin officials have stated that such actions would lead to a significant escalation, which could potentially lead to World War III.

The move by Washington has also raised concerns among NATO allies. Britain and France had previously refused to grant Ukraine permission to use long-range Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia, but this decision may change with Biden's announcement.

The potential impact of these missiles is enormous. If used against Russian targets in the Kursk region, they could lead to a significant counter-offensive by Russian and North Korean troops. Reports suggest that Russia has already moved its military equipment to airfields further inside Russia in anticipation of such a decision.

This move by Washington has sparked fears among Russia experts about the potential for World War III. "The West has decided on such a level of escalation that it could end with the Ukrainian statehood in complete ruins by morning," said Andrei Klishas, a senior member of the Federation Council.

As tensions continue to rise, the international community is watching developments closely. The US, European Union, and Putin's Russia will all be keeping a close eye on this situation, knowing that it has significant implications for global security.