The Kremlin accused US President Joe Biden on Monday of escalating the war in Ukraine, vowing to retaliate against his decision to allow Kyiv to use long-range missiles provided by the US to target sites inside Russia.
Biden, who will soon hand over the White House to Donald Trump, a critic of US support for Ukraine, urged world leaders—attended by Russia’s foreign minister—to follow America’s example in supporting Ukraine. This comes as Moscow launched a second missile attack in two days on the Ukrainian city of Odesa, killing 10 people and injuring over 40.
Ukraine has long sought approval to use US-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to strike military targets in Russia as its forces face mounting pressure in the ongoing conflict that began in 2022. Kyiv argues that such strikes are necessary to prevent Russian aerial bombardments, which have destroyed entire districts near the frontlines and heavily damaged Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded, accusing the outgoing US administration of further fueling tensions and provoking an escalation of the conflict.
While attending the G20 summit in Brazil, Biden emphasized the United States’ strong commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, urging other leaders to support the country’s territorial integrity. A senior US official stated that the policy shift was prompted by Russia’s recent deployment of thousands of North Korean troops to assist in its war effort.
Peskov highlighted a statement from Russian President Vladimir Putin in September, warning that the use of long-range missiles by Ukraine would effectively draw NATO into direct conflict with Russia. Russia’s foreign ministry echoed this sentiment, warning that Ukraine’s use of such missiles would signal direct US involvement in the hostilities and promising a “strong and tangible” response.
The US decision has raised concerns about North Korea’s role in the war, with reports suggesting that the country has sent up to 10,000 troops to Russia. US National Security Advisor Jon Finer stated that Washington would respond to the Kremlin’s actions regarding the deployment of foreign forces.
Meanwhile, Russia continues to make progress in the Donetsk region, claiming to have captured another village. The Donetsk regional governor reported fatalities from Russian attacks on the towns of Siversk and Kostyantynivka.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited frontline cities, including Pokrovsk and Kupiansk, where Russian forces have been intensifying their efforts. Zelensky praised Ukrainian forces for preventing the complete occupation of the Donbas region by Russia.
Biden’s approval for Ukraine to strike Russian territory with US missiles may prompt European allies to reassess their positions. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer declined to comment on the matter during the G20 summit.
A senior Ukrainian official expressed frustration that this decision came too late, while a Ukrainian serviceman in the Donetsk region described the delay as unacceptable. “How long can this go on?” he asked. “They can kill our children, our mothers.”
Meanwhile, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) reported finding banned CS riot gas in shell and soil samples from the conflict zone, violating the international convention on toxic weapons. Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of using chemical weapons during the conflict, with the US and UK also accusing Russia of deploying toxic agents against Ukrainian troops.
Ukrainian engineers are still working to repair the damage caused by a Russian missile and drone attack, with significant power outages affecting regions such as Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed that approximately 220,000 people are currently without electricity.
