Ukraine fires first barrage of US-made long-range missiles into Russia, Kremlin says

Moscow says Ukrainian forces have taken advantage of President Biden’s green light and launched 6 US-made ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) into Russian territory on Tuesday.

Russia says it shot down five of the missiles and damaged the sixth. It added that debris landed in the area of ​​a Russian military facility, but that there were no injuries or damage beyond a small fire. A US official confirmed the overnight strike to Fox News.

The attack came just two days after President Biden authorized Ukraine to use US long-range missiles on Russian soil, an escalation that Russian President Putin has previously indicated would be an act of war.

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The US has authorized Ukraine to use ATACMS on Russian soil. (John Hamilton/US Army via AP, File)

According to a senior US official, Biden’s decision was prompted by the Russian decision to invite 10,000 North Korean soldiers into the fight against Ukraine in Kursk. Another official told Fox that it is unclear whether Biden plans to authorize the use of the missiles outside the Kursk region.

The National Security Council of the White House responded on Tuesday to Putin’s decision to update Russia’s nuclear doctrine.

“As we said earlier this month, we were not surprised by Russia’s announcement that it would update its nuclear doctrine; Russia had signaled its intention to update its doctrine for several weeks. As we observed no changes in Russia’s nuclear posture, “We saw no reason to adjust our own nuclear posture or doctrine in response to Russia’s statements today,” an NSC spokesman told Fox News Digital.

“This is more of the same irresponsible rhetoric from Russia that we have seen for the past two years. As we told Russia weeks ago, Russia’s use of DPRK soldiers in combat operations against Ukraine constitutes a significant escalation of its election war against Ukraine .Ukraine and we warned that the United States would respond,” the statement continued.

Putin had previously warned Biden and other Western countries not to expand Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The announcement came after Britain and France authorized Ukraine to launch SCALP/Storm Shadow missile strikes, according to French outlet Le Figaro.

Putin has previously said that giving Ukraine the green light for missile use would effectively mean that the US and NATO are “at war”.

“Flight missions for these missile systems can actually only be entered by military personnel from NATO countries. Ukrainian soldiers cannot do that. And therefore it is not a question of allowing the Ukrainian regime to attack Russia with these weapons or not. It is a question on making a decision whether NATO countries will participate directly in the military conflict or not,” Putin said in September.

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“If this decision is made, it will mean nothing less than the direct participation of NATO countries, the United States and European countries in the war in Ukraine,” he added.

Putin has yet to respond to Ukraine’s alleged use of ATACMS on Russian soil. (GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

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Meanwhile President-elect Trumps the transition team is expected to soon announce a peace envoy to assist in negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Trump argued on the campaign trail that he could resolve the conflict before taking office.

Fox News’ Liz Friden contributed to this report.