President Biden gave Ukrainian President Zelensky the green light to launch U.S.-made missiles deep into Russian territory, which Putin has warned crosses a "red line" and will not be tolerated.
"Kiev has launched a long-range missile strike against military facilities located within internationally-recognized Russian territory," Putin said in his address.
Putin confirmed that the weapons used were U.S.-made HIMARS in addition to British-made Storm Shadow missiles, which were launched at Russia's Bryansk and Kursk regions.
"A regional Ukraine conflict instigated by the West has acquired elements of a global one," Putin continued, explaining that military specialists from NATO had to have also been involved since only they know how to use these advanced missile systems.
So, that's what you wanted?
Well, you've damn well got it!
A hypersonic ballistic missile attack pic.twitter.com/lsKQHhMnif
— Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) November 21, 2024
(Related: Moscow is promising a "devastating response" if Zelensky continues to send long-range missiles deep into Russian territory.)
Will Trump stop WWIII?
According to Putin, the rockets were successfully intercepted and the mission derailed. Nonetheless, Moscow is on the ready to deploy its newest missiles if necessary – missiles that Putin says no Western systems can counter.
"The use of such weapons by the enemy cannot affect the course of the situation in the Special Military Operation zone," Putin said, noting that it was a big mistake for the United States to pull out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 2019.
??President Putin issues warning to the West: 'We will act decisively in cases of escalation' pic.twitter.com/0FvoHy5vU8
— RT (@RT_com) November 21, 2024
The fact that all of this is happening in the between period of Donald Trump being reelected and Joe Biden leaving makes this all the more precarious. Could World War III really break out before the inauguration in January? Time will tell.
The president-elect has indicated that he plans to start working now, even before reentering office, so perhaps he has a surprise up his sleeve to create peace like he promised? His supporters seem to think that is his plan while skeptics grow more concerned about the volatility of this situation.
It is unclear what to believe about which side might be winning the war since Ukraine says it is hitting Russian targets and Russia claims it is intercepting Western rockets. Is it all just a show, some are beginning to wonder – a show with potentially nuclear ramifications?
In the comments, someone pointed out how different times are today compared to back during the Vietnam War with regard to the way the American people are responding, or rather not responding, to all this war.
"And still ...
No peace marches ...
No songs of 'All we are saying is give peace a chance' ...
No die-ins in front of government buildings ...
No Green Party politicians talking of the environmental damage of this war and what may be to come ...
No peace concerts with all the top bands ...
No Cindy Sheehans ...
No Pope looking for peace ..."
"It's because the Democrats support this war," responded someone else. "Since 2016, Dems are the war party."
"Russia ain't playing," suggested another. "Ironically detached Westerners must learn that war and geopolitics are not a game. They are serious business with very serious consequences."
"Right on time," wrote another. "Have to start WWIII to cover up all the COVID crimes and more."
Will the Russia-Ukraine war turn into World War III before Trump takes office next year? Find out more at WWIII.news.
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