In a pivotal development, Ukrainian forces reportedly carried out their first long range missile (ATACMS) strike on Russian territory using Western-supplied weapons.
According to a report by RBC Ukraine, Ukraine utilized ATACMS missiles to target a military site in Russia’s Bryansk region. This marks the first known use of these advanced weapons since President Joe Biden’s administration approved their limited deployment for operations inside Russian territory. Ukrainian military officials confirmed a strike on a munitions depot in Karachev, about 115 kilometers (71 miles) from the Ukrainian border, which led to significant explosions. However, details about the type of missiles used remain classified.
On the same day, President Putin signed a decree outlining new nuclear policies. Under the revised doctrine, Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in response to large-scale conventional attacks, including drone strikes, on its territory. The document specifies that any aggression by a non-nuclear state backed by a nuclear power will be considered a joint assault.
Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesman, emphasized that an attack on Russian soil using Western missiles would be interpreted as an act of aggression by a non-nuclear nation supported by nuclear allies. “The Russian Federation retains the right to use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty or territorial integrity faces a critical threat,” Peskov stated via state-run Tass news.
The military escalation triggered a wave of market anxiety. Investors flocked to traditional safe-haven assets, boosting government bonds and currencies like the Japanese yen and Swiss franc. German 10-year bond yields fell sharply, reflecting a flight to safety amid fears of broader conflict.
Ukraine has been conducting drone strikes deep into Russian territory for months, but the introduction of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles signals a new phase in the war. Ukrainian officials argue they need such capabilities to neutralize Russian air bases and aircraft used in attacks on their cities.
The developments underline the growing stakes in the ongoing conflict, with Western weapons playing a critical role and nuclear posturing adding a dangerous new dimension. As tensions escalate, the prospect of a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO-aligned nations looms ever larger.