Russia has warned of an "appropriate and firm" response against the West as it reacted to the reports of US President Joe Biden allowing Ukraine the first use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles against it.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova broke silence on Biden's controversial decision to allow Kyiv to use the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) in Western Russia on Monday, stating that "this will mean the direct involvement of the US and its satellites in combat against Russia."
"This will be a radical change in the conflict’s essence and nature. In this event, Russia’s response will be appropriate and tangible," the diplomat said.
Zakharova also mocked the ATACMS, calling it incapable of stopping Russia from attaining its goals. "One thing is obvious: amid the failures of the Kyiv regime, its Western handlers are banking on the utmost escalation of the hybrid war unleashed against Russia, trying to attain the illusory goal of 'strategically defeating Moscow.' However, no matter how much Zelenskyy and his henchmen hope and pray for it, there is no 'wonder-weapon' capable of affecting the course of the special military operation," Zakharova said.
She, however, added that it is unclear whether or not the news is based on official sources.
Also read: Russian MPs cry 'World War-3' as Biden authorises Ukraine to strike Kursk with US ATACMS
Kremlin's top spokesman Dmitry Peskov also told journalists that the decision would lead to a significant escalation. However, he clarified that Moscow officials had not yet seen official confirmation of the U.S. media reports while warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin has already "articulated extremely clearly and unambiguously" Russia's position on this issue.
Meanwhile, regional analysts claim that the use of ATACMS will not likely affect the course of the war as the current authorisation of use seems to be limited to Kursks alone.
Military expert Alexey Alshansky told The Moscow Times that Biden's policy change is more of a gesture. "The use of long-range missiles may enhance the effectiveness against Russian logistics, creating temporary disruptions and extending the delivery cycle for ammunition and supplies to Russian troops,” Alshansky said, adding that this, however, will not cripple but lengthen the logistical chain.
"Moscow could also have prepared for such approval and redeployed critical assets or strengthened air defence," he said.