In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Ukraine has unleashed UK-made Storm Shadow missiles into Russian territory, just a day after deploying long-range American ATACMS missiles. This bold move has sparked fears of a significant intensification in the ongoing conflict, which has raged for nearly three years. The Ukrainian government has yet to officially confirm the strikes that reportedly occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday, coinciding with a reported lifting of restrictions by the Biden administration on the use of these powerful long-range weapons, following persistent lobbying by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Eyewitness accounts and videos circulating on social media depict a series of explosions in the Kursk region, near the Ukrainian border, with reports indicating that up to 12 Storm Shadow missiles were fired. The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed to have intercepted two of these missiles, but the exact location of the attacks remains undisclosed. Al Jazeera’s verification agency pinpointed the strikes to Maryino, a village in Kursk, where the aftermath included plumes of smoke rising ominously above residential areas.
Russia Strikes Back
In retaliation, Russia has reportedly launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into Ukraine, targeting critical infrastructure in the eastern city of Dnipro. This marks a chilling first in the conflict, as ICBMs are capable of delivering nuclear payloads. The missile, identified as the RS-26 Rubezh, has a staggering range of 5,800 kilometers, raising the stakes even higher in this already volatile situation. Russian officials have warned that Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles could lead to further escalation, with President Putin asserting that such actions would effectively mean NATO is at war with Russia.
The backdrop to this fierce exchange includes the recent deployment of North Korean troops in the Kursk region, as reported by the US, Ukraine, and South Korea. This development has heightened tensions, prompting Western nations to bolster their support for Ukraine. With over $100 billion in aid from the West, including more than $61 billion from the US alone, the stakes are higher than ever as both sides brace for the potential fallout from these aggressive military maneuvers.