By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

MOSCOW/KYIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Ukraine fired a dozen British Storm Shadow cruise missiles deep into Russia on Wednesday after launching it is U.S. ATACMS missiles, prompting Moscow to warn that it is lowering its threshold for the use of atomic weapons.

Russian war correspondents reported Wednesday’s strikes on social media, and an official confirmed them on condition of anonymity. A spokesperson for Ukraine’s General Staff said he had no information.

Britain and the U.S. had previously opposed the usage of such weapons inside Russian territory, but they changed their position following the arrival of more than 10,000 North Korean troops to help Russia’s military.

Witnesses said Kyiv fired up to 12 Storm Shadows, which have a range in excess of 250 kilometers( 155 miles), into Russia’s Kursk region, which Ukrainian forces have partly invaded.

Earlier on Tuesday, Kyiv launched the first use of the U.S. ATACM, firing at a Russian arsenal in the Bryansk region on Ukraine’s northern border.

In response, Russia announced “a change to its nuclear doctrine,” making it easier to use atomic weapons.

Washington said it sees no need to adjust its nuclear posture but accused Moscow of “resorting to irresponsible rhetoric.”

WESTERN EMBASSIES

The missile strikes came as several countries, including the United States, briefly closed their embassies in Kyiv, fearing massive Russian retaliation.

The U.S. later said the embassy would reopen on Thursday.

The Pentagon also announced that the U.S. would give Ukraine $275 million in military aid, including more ammunition for theHIMARS rocket system.

Additionally, the administration of outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden moved to forgive $4.7 billion in the U.S. loans to Ukraine.

It was part of last-minute efforts to boost Ukraine’s resolve ahead of expected peace settlements under the next president, Donald J. Trump.

Several sources said Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin “is open” to discussing an Ukraine ceasefire deal with Trump.

However he reportedly rules out making any major territorial concessions and insists Kyiv abandon ambitions to join the NATO military alliance.

ENDING CONFLICT

In exchange for Ukraine’s neutrality, the country would receive security guarantees from the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, Britain, France, China, Russia and the United States, Worthy News learned.

U.S. President-elect Trump has vowed to swiftly end the armed conflict when returning to the White House, as hundreds of thousands of soldiers are believed to have been killed on both sides.

Critics say Biden’s decision to allow the usage of the ATACMS, or Army Tactical Missile System, surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, could complicate peace talks.

Yet analysts said the use of these missiles, which are capable of hitting targets at up to 300 kilometers (186 miles), may not much change realities on the ground.

Moscow controls about 20 percent of Ukraine, about the size of the American state of Virginia.

However Russia is advancing at the fastest pace since the early days of the 2022 invasion, according to military experts, ahead of possible peace talks.

Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.

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