After the Ukrainian attack with American missiles in Russia, a military escalation is feared, accompanied by a nuclear threat.
Tensions are rising a notch in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia as this Tuesday, November 19, marked the thousandth day of the Russian offensive. The Russian Defense Ministry assured that Ukraine had used six American ATACMS missiles against its country, believing that the conflict was thus moving into a “new phase”. Ukraine, for its part, confirmed having struck a military target for the first time in the Bryansk region. The United States had authorized strikes on Russian soil with its missiles and is also considering providing “non-persistent antipersonnel mines”, which are equipped with a self-destruct or self-deactivation device, to the Ukrainians.
In response, Russia promised an “appropriate” response, after having already continued its attacks during the night from Monday to Tuesday, one of which cost the lives of eight people. The United States embassy in kyiv then fears, this Wednesday, November 20, a “significant air attack” from Russia. It therefore decided to close its doors, after having “received precise information concerning a possible significant air attack on November 20”, it indicates on its site.
Russia brandishes nuclear threat
Vladimir Putin also decided to lower the trigger threshold for a nuclear strike, signing a decree expanding his possibilities for using this weapon. The Russian president had already warned in mid-September that his country could use nuclear weapons in the event of a “massive launch” of air attacks. Russian media also announced the start of production of anti-nuclear shelters. This decision was widely criticized by Western countries. Emmanuel Macron denounced Russia’s “escalatory” posture and called Vladimir Putin “to reason”. For his part, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga told the US Congressional Committee that “their revised nuclear doctrine and rhetoric on the use of nuclear weapons are nothing more than blackmail.”
For his part, Volodymyr Zelensky appears worried. The Ukrainian president warned of the risk of defeat against Moscow if American aid were cut, a fear caused by the imminent arrival of Donald Trump at the White House. The US president has repeatedly promised to quickly end the war. “If the Americans cut, I think we will lose,” he said in an interview on Fox News. He then called on his allies to maintain their support. “I think what is very dangerous is losing unity in Europe and especially unity between Ukraine and the United States,” he added.