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US president Joe Biden has approved the provision of anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine, as momentum builds in international support for Kyiv.
Ukraine has committed to not using the mines in densely populated areas, an unnamed official told The Washington Post.
It comes after Ukraine yesterday used American-made long-range ATACMS ballistic missiles inside Russian territory for the first time, in what Moscow described as an escalation of the conflict.
Mr Biden has ramped up support for Kyiv before president-elect Donald Trump – who is expected to take a softer stance to Russia and push for peace negotiations – re-enters the White House.
Ukraine’s forces struck a Russian arms depot 110km deep inside the country on the 1,000th day of war. Moscow warned that it would respond “accordingly”.
Hours afterwards, Vladimir Putin signed a new nuclear doctrine lowering the threshold under which Russia can deploy atomic weapons to respond to attacks on its territory, warning Washington.
A major aerial attack using conventional weapons is now grounds for the use of nuclear weapons, according to the doctrine announced in September and signed this week.
Turkish president Erdogan responds to Putin’s revised nuclear doctrine
Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan has responded to Putin’s revised nuclear doctrine, which lowers the threshold for Russian use of nuclear weapons.
“Russia has and needs to have the power and the measures to protect itself,” Mr Erdogan said
“Similarly, as a NATO country, we have to protect ourselves and take steps to protect ourselves… This step should be reviewed by NATO officials.”
Earlier, French foreign mininster Jean-Noel Barrot described it as “rhetoric”, adding: “we are not intimidated.”
Alex Croft20 November 2024 12:02
Ukrainian military downs 56 drones and two missiles
The Ukrainian military said on Wednesday that it downed 56 out of 122 drones and two out of six missiles launched overnight by Russia.
It lost track of 58 Russian drones on its radars, five returned to Russia and one went to Belarus.
Alex Croft20 November 2024 11:46
UK embassy in Kyiv remains open despite U.S. embassy missile threat
The British embassy in Kyiv will remain open despite the US shutting down its own due to the possibility of a “significant air attack” by Russia.
The closure came after Ukraine’s first use of US-supplied missiles to strike targets deep inside Russia. The British government is considering its position on whether to permit Kyiv to use UK long-range Storm Shadow missiles in Russia.
On Wednesday morning, UK science secretary Peter Kyle said the UK is monitoring the situation and “will do everything we can to keep British citizens safe”.
The Foreign Office said the UK embassy is open but that the safety of staff and British nationals was of “paramount” importance. The embassy in Kyiv has been operating a limited diplomatic function and is not providing in-person consular assistance.
The Italian and Greek embassies said they have closed their doors after the U.S. warning. The French embassy remains open but has urged caution from its citizens.
Alex Croft20 November 2024 11:30
In Focus: ‘We want to inflict a lot of damage’: Ukrainian troops seek revenge on Russia with Biden’s long-range missiles
A few hours later, on the 1,000th day of the invasion, Moscow claimed the first use of the US Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) ballistic missiles on the Bryansk region of Russia, about 80 miles from the Ukraine border. The missiles have a full range of around 190 miles.
Alex Croft20 November 2024 11:13
Putin’s lowering of nuclear threshold ‘latest example of Kremlin’s irresponsibility’, says No 10
Downing Street has condemned Vladimir Putin’s decision to lower the threshold for nuclear weapons as the “latest example of irresponsibility” from the “depraved Russian government”.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, which marked 1,000 days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, a No 10 spokesperson said: “Our focus remains on supporting Ukraine … we’re very clear that Vladimir Putin could end this war tomorrow.
“He could remove his troops, roll back his tanks and end the onslaught and needless bloodshed in both Ukraine and Russia. That is entirely within his gift. We would urge him to do so.”
Asked whether the Russian leader was behaving irresponsibly, the spokesperson said: “It would be fair to say it’s the latest example of irresponsibility that we’ve seen from the depraved Russian government.
“We remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine and the defence of an illegal invasion, and we’ve always said that the defence of the UK starts in Ukraine.”
Alex Croft20 November 2024 10:57
In pictures: Russian minister visits Pyongyang
Alex Croft20 November 2024 10:42
Turkish president Erdogan opposes US long-range missile decision
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has criticised the U.S. decision to allow long-range ATACMS missiles to be fired into Russia territory.
Russia and Ukraine should both be focussed on peace and retraint, Mr Erdogan added according to CNN Turk.
Alex Croft20 November 2024 10:26
U.S. citizens should keep food and water reserves in case of Russian strike, says embassy
The U.S. embassy in Kyiv has urged American citizens to keep water, food and medical reserves in the event of a “possible temporary loss of electricity and water” caused by Russian strikes.
“Persistent Russian attacks targeting civilian infrastructure throughout Ukraine may result in power outages, loss of heating, and disruption of municipal services,” the embassy said.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Ukrainian Security Council’s Centre for Countering Disinformation, said Russia is ready to conduct more air strikes.
He said: “Let me remind you that the Russians have been stockpiling missiles for a series of attacks on Ukraine for months. This includes Kh-101 missiles, which they continue to produce, as well as Kalibrs and ballistics.”
Russia has consistently warned the West that allowing Ukraine to fire U.S., British and French missiles deep into Russia would mean that the NATO members are considered by Moscow to be directly involved in the war.
Alex Croft20 November 2024 10:08
Report: Biden approves sending anti-personnel mines to Ukraine in latest policy shift during final days in office
Two US officials told The Washington Post that Kyiv has committed to deploying the explosive devices exclusively on its own territory and not in areas populated by civilians
Ukraine hopes the development will enable it to slow the advance of Russian ground troops in the east, especially when used alongside other munitions gifted by its western allies, an official told Reuters.
Read the full report:
Joe Sommerlad20 November 2024 09:52
British Army fires Archer artillery system for first time close to Russia’s border
British soldiers have fired a new artillery gun for the first time on a tactical exercise close to Russia’s border in Finland.
It comes as Russia responds furiously to US president Joe Biden’s decision to approve the use of American long-range ATACMS missiles in Russian territory for the first time.
The Swedish-made Archer 155mm self-propelled guns have been acquired as an interim replacement for the 32 AS90s which the UK has donated to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
The Archer, which is designed and built by BAE Systems Bofors, has double the maximum range of the AS90, greater operational mobility, greater availability and reduced time into action, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Lucy Leeson20 November 2024 09:35
