Russia says Ukraine attacked it using U.S.-made missiles, signals it's ready for nuclear response

Moscow has signaled to the West that it is prepared for a nuclear confrontation after Ukraine reportedly received permission to attack Russian territory using U.S.-supplied long-range missiles. Kyiv acted swiftly, with Ukrainian media reporting on Tuesday that U.S.-made ATACMS missiles had been used to strike a Russian military facility in the Bryansk region near the border.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed the attack, stating that six U.S.-made ATACMS ballistic missiles were launched by Ukrainian forces. According to the ministry, air defense systems intercepted five of the missiles, and fragments of the sixth caused a fire at a military facility, which was quickly extinguished. The ministry claimed there were no casualties or significant damage.

Ukrainian officials have not publicly commented on the attack. However, the Kyiv Post cited a national security official confirming a strike in Bryansk, though the specific weapons used were not disclosed. CNBC has not independently verified these reports.

In response, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the West of escalating the conflict. Speaking at a G20 press conference, Lavrov stated, “The use of ATACMS in the Bryansk region is a clear signal of escalation by the West. Without the Americans, deploying such high-tech missiles would not have been possible.”

Moscow has long warned the West against enabling Ukraine to use long-range weapons to target Russian territory. On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree updating Russia’s nuclear doctrine, broadening the conditions under which nuclear weapons might be deployed. The revised policy now includes scenarios where aggression by a non-nuclear state, supported by a nuclear power, is treated as a joint attack.

The doctrine also outlines that a critical threat to Russia’s or Belarus’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, or the launch of ballistic missiles against Russia, could justify a nuclear response. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated this stance, stating that aggression from a non-nuclear state with support from a nuclear state could be deemed a joint attack, thereby falling under Russia’s updated nuclear guidelines.

Rising Tensions and Implications

The escalation comes as Russian forces reportedly make significant advances in eastern Ukraine, aiming to consolidate gains ahead of President-elect Donald Trump taking office in January. It is widely anticipated that Trump will push for peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv, potentially resulting in Ukraine conceding occupied territories to Russia. Trump has already indicated he plans to end U.S. military aid to Ukraine upon assuming office.

The Biden administration’s decision to allow Ukraine to use ATACMS has faced criticism from some Republican officials, who argue the move risks further provoking Russia and complicating the prospect of peace talks.