Ukraine Attacks Russia With US Missiles Could Lead To World War 3

Washington D.C., Nov 18, 2024 - 13:18 IST: The Joe Biden administration has permitted Ukraine to use US-made ATACMS missiles for limited strikes inside Russia, igniting concerns of a global conflict. The move is seen as a policy reversal by Washington and comes two months before Donald Trump takes over the White House.

In September this year, President Vladimir Putin warned that if the West allowed Ukraine to strike Russian territory with Western-made long-range missiles, it would be considered a direct attack on Russia. Russian lawmakers are now warning of a catastrophic escalation that could lead to World War 3.

According to senior member of the Federation Council Andrei Klishas, the West is going too far in escalating tensions, and if Ukraine uses these missiles, it will likely result in the complete destruction of Ukrainian statehood.

US policymakers had initially refused to allow such rocket strikes against Russia due to fears of an impending global conflict. However, with momentum shifting towards Moscow, Mr Biden has agreed to permit Ukraine's limited use of ATACMS against Russian targets.

This move comes as tensions are running high between Kyiv and Moscow over Ukrainian land grabs in the Kursk region. Ukrainian officials say these missiles can help their country hold onto a small piece of occupied territory, which could be used as a bargaining chip for future negotiations.

European states like Britain and France have authorized Ukraine to use long-range Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia as well under US guidance.

As Trump takes office on January 20th, many Ukrainians are concerned that his administration might scale back or even end military aid to their country.

The Implications of ATACMS

ATACMS are US-supplied ballistic missiles developed in the 1980s for destroying high-value targets deep behind enemy lines. The missile's warhead has an explosive capacity of about 375 pounds and can strike targets 190 miles away.