Fury in Russia at 'serious escalation' of missile move

The recent decision by President Biden of the United States has ignited a wave of anger in Russia, with many officials expressing their outrage at what they perceive as a dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Russian government newspaper, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, characterized Biden's move as one of the most provocative and reckless actions of his presidency, warning that it could lead to catastrophic consequences. Leonid Slutsky, a prominent member of the Russian parliament and head of the pro-Kremlin Liberal-Democratic Party, predicted that this decision would inevitably escalate tensions and result in serious repercussions. Meanwhile, Russian senator Vladimir Dzhabarov went so far as to label it an unprecedented step towards the possibility of World War Three. While the anger is palpable, it is not entirely unexpected. The pro-Kremlin tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda referred to the situation as a 'predictable escalation. ' However, the key question remains: how will President Putin respond? So far, he has remained silent on the matter. On Monday, Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesperson, addressed journalists, stating that if such a decision has indeed been made, it signifies a new level of tension and a different situation regarding U. S. involvement in the conflict. Peskov accused the Biden administration of 'adding fuel to the fire' and exacerbating the already tense situation. Western leaders might argue that it is Russia that is stoking the flames by deploying North Korean troops to the war zone and continuing its attacks on Ukraine. Although President Putin has not yet commented on the latest developments, he has made his stance clear in the past. In recent months, the Kremlin has sent a strong message to the West, warning against the removal of restrictions on long-range weapons and cautioning Ukraine against striking deep into Russian territory. In September, Putin warned that if Ukraine were allowed to use such weapons, it would mean that NATO countries were effectively engaging in combat with Russia. The following month, he announced potential changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine, which outlines the conditions under which Russia might consider using nuclear weapons. This was widely interpreted as a warning to the West not to allow Ukraine to target Russian territory with long-range missiles. Predicting Putin's next moves is notoriously difficult, but he has dropped hints along the way. In June, during a meeting with international news agency heads, Putin was asked how Russia would react if Ukraine received weapons from Europe to strike Russian targets. He responded by stating that Russia would enhance its air defense systems and would take measures to destroy any incoming missiles. Furthermore, he suggested that if the West could supply weapons to Ukraine, Russia could also provide weapons to other countries that might target Western interests. This indicates that Moscow is considering a broader strategy in response to Western military support for Ukraine. Recently, President Biden authorized Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles, which are capable of striking targets inside Russia. This decision has raised concerns within Russia. In a recent interview, Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Putin, confirmed that the Kremlin has been contemplating these issues. He recounted a warning he gave to Western officials about the dangers of long-range missiles, suggesting that if Russia were to retaliate by supplying advanced weaponry to groups like the Houthis, it could lead to severe consequences, particularly if they were to target American or British naval vessels. However, some media outlets in Russia are attempting to downplay the situation. A military expert stated that Russian forces had previously intercepted ATACMS missiles during attacks on the Crimean shore, implying that the threat may not be as significant as it appears. This is a particularly unusual moment, as in just two months, President Biden will be leaving office, and Donald Trump will be taking over as president. The Kremlin is aware that Trump has been more skeptical about military assistance for Ukraine compared to Biden. This change in leadership could play a crucial role in shaping Putin's response to the current situation.