Russia says Ukraine fired 6 US-made long-range missiles at Bryansk region

About the Missile

The ATACMS are ballistic missiles made by Lockheed Martin with a long range and high flight path, with the potential to reach far into Russia than any Ukrainian missile.

Authorisation to Ukraine

Just days ago, Russia had struck Kyiv with a missile and drone attack, first in 73 days, on Wednesday, Ukrainian officials said.

Ukraine has been lobbying with the United States for years, seeking authorization for the missile, which has reportedly come in the final months of the Biden administration.

US had so far been refusing to allow any such strikes that involved the US-made ATACMS missiles - supplied last year - for the fear of a possible escalation in the Russian-Ukraine war.

Washington’s go ahead to let Kyiv strike into Russia with long-range US missiles has been seen as an escalation in the conflict with Ukraine, Reuters reported on Sunday citing Russian lawmakers. "This is a very big step towards the start of World War Three," the TASS state news agency had quoted a Russian lawmaker on the reported US approval.

Russia's Nuclear Doctrine

Earlier on November 19, President Vladimir Putin signed a revised nuclear doctrine declaring that a conventional attack on Russia by any nation supported by a nuclear power will be considered a joint attack on his country.

“The Russian Federation retains the right to use nuclear weapons in the case of aggression using conventional weapons against it” if it threatens the sovereignty or territorial integrity, Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov told Russia's TASS news service.

Ukraine has been using home-made drones in its recent strikes into Russia for months.

Trump 2.0 and Ukraine

Many experts have said that the Trump presidency would be disastrous for Ukraine, as both Donald Trump and JD Vance have expressed deep scepticism over US aid to Ukraine. "Every time Zelenskyy comes to this country, he walks away with $60 billion ... he's the greatest salesman ever," Trump had said at an event in September.

Risk Off?

Government bonds and Japanese yen have rallied on November 19, while equities were off highs as investors rushed to safe-haven assets.

What Zelenskyy Said

President Volodymyr Zelensky told Ukraine's parliament on Tuesday that the war had reached a decisive moment, as he urged citizens to stay "resilient" and touted plans for a huge ramp-up in production of strike weapons.

In an hour-long speech to mark 1,000 days since Russia's full-scale invasion, he said Ukraine would not trade its sovereignty or relinquish its right to its territories, and he ruled out the holding of new elections until peace is achieved.

"At this stage of the war, it is being decided who will prevail - whether us over the enemy, or the enemy over us Ukrainians... and Europeans, and everyone in the world who wants to live freely and not be subject to a dictator."

Russia starts making nuclear-resistant mobile bomb shelters

Russia has begun serial production of mobile bomb shelters that can protect against a variety of threats including shockwaves and radiation from a nuclear blast.

The emergency ministry's research institute said the "KUB-M" shelter could offer protection for 48 hours against these and other natural and man-made hazards.

Investors rush into safe-haven currencies after Kremlin nuclear doctrine

Investors rushed into safe-haven currencies, including the U.S. dollar, the Swiss franc and the yen, after a warning from Russia over its updated nuclear doctrine.

President Vladimir Putin issued a warning to the United States on Tuesday, lowering the threshold for a nuclear strike after the administration of Joe Biden reportedly allowed Ukraine to fire American-made long-range missiles deep into Russia.