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Tuesday, Aug 18, 2026
Outside the box.
Russia Pledges Response Following Ukraine's Use of US Long-Range Missiles
Escalation marks a new phase in the ongoing conflict
On the 1,000th day since Russia invaded Ukraine, heightened tensions arose as Ukraine launched US-supplied ATACMS missiles at Russia's Bryansk region for the first time.
In response, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated at the G20 summit in Brazil that this incident marks a 'new phase' of Western involvement in the war and announced that Russia will react accordingly.
President Vladimir Putin issued a decree lowering the threshold for nuclear weapon use, a move condemned by Western nations as reckless.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized global leaders for not adequately addressing Putin's nuclear threats.
The US approved Ukraine's request to use ATACMS, as confirmed by a strike undertaken at 3:25 am targeting a Bryansk site.
The Russian defense ministry claimed US technical assistance was a requisite for the 300-km range missile operation, accusing the US of direct involvement in the conflict.
Concurrently, a devastating Russian attack on Ukraine's Sumy region resulted in 12 civilian casualties.
Defense budgets in Ukraine and Russia are intensifying, with NATO leaders stressing the importance of preventing a victorious Putin from posing a 'direct threat' to the West.
As the conflict escalates, EU officials urge alignment with the US in supporting Ukraine's right to defend against Russian aggression, asserting it complies with international law.
In response, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated at the G20 summit in Brazil that this incident marks a 'new phase' of Western involvement in the war and announced that Russia will react accordingly.
President Vladimir Putin issued a decree lowering the threshold for nuclear weapon use, a move condemned by Western nations as reckless.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized global leaders for not adequately addressing Putin's nuclear threats.
The US approved Ukraine's request to use ATACMS, as confirmed by a strike undertaken at 3:25 am targeting a Bryansk site.
The Russian defense ministry claimed US technical assistance was a requisite for the 300-km range missile operation, accusing the US of direct involvement in the conflict.
Concurrently, a devastating Russian attack on Ukraine's Sumy region resulted in 12 civilian casualties.
Defense budgets in Ukraine and Russia are intensifying, with NATO leaders stressing the importance of preventing a victorious Putin from posing a 'direct threat' to the West.
As the conflict escalates, EU officials urge alignment with the US in supporting Ukraine's right to defend against Russian aggression, asserting it complies with international law.
