Russia has issued a grave warning to the West, asserting that any use of long-range missiles by Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory would constitute the “direct participation” of the United States and its allies in the ongoing conflict. This sharp declaration follows unverified reports suggesting that US President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use American-supplied ATACMS missiles to target locations within Russia’s pre-2014 borders.

Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, issued a statement on November 18, underscoring the potential ramifications of such an escalation. “Kiev’s use of long-range missiles to attack our territory will mean the direct participation of the United States and its satellites in hostilities against Russia,” she stated. “In this case, Russia’s response will be adequate and tangible.”

The warning comes amidst reports in The New York Times suggesting that Biden has greenlit Ukraine’s use of long-range ATACMS missiles. While neither Washington nor Kiev has confirmed these claims, their mere suggestion has heightened tensions between Russia and the West. According to the report, these missiles might be deployed against Russian positions in regions such as Kursk, allegedly alongside North Korean troops assisting Moscow. Both Russia and North Korea have refrained from commenting on these allegations.

The White House has yet to issue an official response to these reports. When questioned about the matter, Zakharova highlighted the lack of confirmation from US officials,........

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