Ukraine to Attack Russia With US Missiles Could Lead To World War III, Warns Experts

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - In a move that could escalate tensions and potentially lead to a larger conflict, the Ukrainian government has been permitted by the outgoing US administration to use US-made ATACMS missiles against Russian territory.

The decision, made by President Joe Biden's administration just days before he leaves office, is seen as a significant shift in policy, with Russian lawmakers warning that it could have disastrous consequences and lead to World War III.

According to senior Russian lawmakers, including Andrei Klishas, a member of the Federation Council, and Vladimir Dzhabarov, first deputy head of the upper house's international affairs committee, Moscow will not tolerate such aggression. The Russians say they believe the Ukrainians are using the missiles as a bargaining chip in any future negotiations.

"This is a very big step towards World War 3," said Dzhabarov, quoted by Russian news agency TASS.

Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the lower house's foreign affairs committee, also expressed strong opposition to Ukrainian use of the US-made missiles. "US-authorised strikes by Kyiv on Russia with ATACMS missiles would lead to our toughest response," he said in reports from Russian news agencies.

On the other hand, US President-elect Donald Trump has not explicitly stated whether he will continue this policy or cut off military aid to Ukraine. However, some of his aides have expressed concerns about continued support for Ukraine's military efforts, and there are fears that Trump may pull back support when he takes office in January.

President Vladimir Putin had warned the West earlier in September that if Ukraine were allowed to use Western-made long-range missiles against Russian territory, it would mean "direct confrontation" with Russia.

In order to fully utilize the US-supplied ATACMS missile capability, Britain and France could also grant a permit for a Ukrainian attack. Neither the UK nor France has reacted yet on this matter.

The US made its decision in response to requests from Ukraine to be able to use US-supplied weapons more fully inside Russia.

President Biden previously refused such strikes due to fears of escalation. But after momentum shifted towards Moscow, it appears that the incoming administration will continue that previous policy.