AN INCREDIBLE map has revealed the key targets deep inside the Russian territory that could now be struck by Ukraine using long-range US missiles.
Joe Biden’s major decision to lift the missile ban marks a major turning point in the Russia-Ukraine war, with Putin’s top cronies threatening a catastrophic World War Three.
AFPUkraine has been given permission to use American missiles to strike Russia, insiders have said[/caption]
Putin today declared the move as a ‘declaration of war’
With an impressive range of 190 miles, the US-supplied ATACMS missiles could strike far behind the current frontlines.
It means Kyiv could not only potentially hit frontline targets between Belgorod in the east to Odesa in the south, but also strike areas deep inside the Russian territory.
This includes regions as far as Rostov, Voronezh and Rostov.
It is understood the missiles will now be heavily used to blast targets inside Kursk – one of the key battlegrounds in the war where North Korean troops have been deployed to support Moscow.
Biden’s major decision comes just two months before president-elect Trump’s return to the White House.
Until now, Biden had been against any escalation that he believed would lead the United States and other NATO members into direct confrontation with Russia.
But is understood to have made the decision after Kim Jong-un sent thousands of troops from Pyongyang to fight in Kursk.
The first long-range attacks could be launched within the coming days, insiders added.
France and the UK have also signalled the go-ahead to carry out deep strikes into Russian territory using their SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles.
The move will heap pressure on Germany to drop its opposition to supplying Kyiv with its long-range Taurus missiles.
Biden’s latest move now marks a major US policy shift as he is about to leave office and PTrump has pledged to limit American support for Ukraine and end the war as soon as possible.
America’s ban lift marks a major escalation in the war and is “significant in terms of the end game”, according to a former senior Nato official.
Russia today warned the West that the use of long range NATO missiles by Ukraine would be seen by the Kremlin as a declaration of war.
Vladimir Putin’s spokesman made clear Moscow was watching closely after reports in the US that Joe Biden has given Kyiv permission for ATACMS strikes on Russian territory.
Mouthpiece Dmitry Peskov referred to Putin’s earlier statements in St Petersburg when he indicated such a move could trigger a third world war.
“We have, of course, paid attention to the relevant publications, which [are] without reference to any official sources,” said Peskov.
“And here the position of our President, the position of the Russian side, was very clearly and unambiguously formulated by our Head of State in his statement that he made in St Petersburg….
“It says everything very clearly
“I simply recommend that you read these words of the President once again.”
Peskov was asked: “Is there any expectation in the Kremlin that with Donald Trump already in office, this decision [to fire US long range missiles at Russian soil] could be reconsidered?”
The spokesman said: “If such a decision has indeed been formulated and communicated to the Kyiv regime, then, of course, this is a qualitatively new round of tension.
“And a qualitatively new situation in terms of US involvement in this conflict.
“I guess that’s what we’re primarily proceeding from.
“And most importantly, I repeat once again, our position here should be absolutely clear to everyone, and it is clear to everyone.
“These signals were read by the collective West for everyone, and they were voiced by the president in St. Petersburg.”
Vladimir Putin’s mouthpieces issued apocalyptic warnings.
“This is a very big step towards the beginning of the Third World War,” said Putin-loyalist Vladimir Dzhabarov, deputy chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the upper house and a retired security service general.
He slammed the move from Biden and said: “a departing old man who will no longer be responsible for anything in two months”.
Hardline Liberal-Democatic party leader Leonid Slutsky said: “Biden has apparently decided to end his presidential term and go down in history as Bloody Joe.”
He warned: “It will mean only one thing – direct US participation in the military conflict in Ukraine, which will inevitably entail the harshest response from Russia, based on the threats that will be created for our country.”
Chairman of the Russian parliamentary defence committee, Col-Gen Andrei Kartapolov, a former deputy defence minister, warned: “Our president, the supreme commander-in-chief, has already said what this will mean for our Western partners.
“So we are waiting for his decision and commands, which we will fulfil.”
Russian senator Andrey Klishas said: “The West has decided on a level of escalation that could end with the remnants of Ukraine completely losing their statehood.”
Senior Russian diplomat Mikhail Ulyanov, the Kremlin’s permanent representative to international organisations in Vienna, urged Britain and France to think twice on a move that could lead to war.
“They have a chance to reconsider their position if they are truly concerned about European security,” he said.
“There is no longer room for primitive political games.”
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