Payam Javan: Russia accused Ukraine of launching six U.S.-made ATACMS long-range missiles into its western Bryansk region early Tuesday morning. The Russian defense ministry stated that the attack targeted a military facility, with five missiles intercepted by air defenses while one caused damage. Fragments from the downed missile reportedly started a fire, which was quickly extinguished, with no casualties or significant harm reported. Ukraine has not confirmed the attack, marking a potential escalation in the conflict following U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to authorize Ukraine’s use of these missiles after months of appeals from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Russia Condemns U.S. Missile Approval as ‘Reckless’
The U.S. decision to allow Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles against Russian targets has been denounced by Moscow as reckless, with Russian officials warning of a potential response. The missile strikes come amid heightened tensions and growing concerns about further escalation. While Kyiv has not officially acknowledged the use of the missiles, such an attack would signify a new phase in the ongoing conflict, demonstrating Ukraine’s ability to strike deeper into Russian territory with advanced weaponry supplied by its Western allies. Independent confirmation of the incident’s details remains unavailable.

Russia Updates Nuclear Doctrine Amid Escalating Tensions
In a significant move, President Vladimir Putin approved an updated nuclear doctrine on Tuesday, lowering the threshold for potential nuclear weapon use. The revised policy states that any conventional attack on Russia by a non-nuclear power backed by a nuclear state will be treated as a coordinated assault, potentially justifying a nuclear response. Additionally, the doctrine includes provisions for responding to large-scale aerospace attacks that penetrate Russian territory. This development underscores Russia’s increasingly assertive stance as tensions with Ukraine and its Western supporters continue to intensify.