Consequences of Ukraine's long-range missile attack on Russian territory

According to RIA Novosti on November 19, the editor-in-chief of Russia's Defense magazine, Igor Korotchenko, said that if Ukraine launches long-range missile attacks on Russian territory, Russia may decide to attack and destroy the "brain" centers in Kiev in response.

Earlier, the New York Times quoted an anonymous representative of the US government as saying that US President Joe Biden had for the first time allowed Ukraine to use US long-range missiles to strike deep into Russian territory. According to sources, the first attacks deep into Russian territory will most likely be carried out with ATACMS missiles.

“If Ukraine launches one or a series of attacks on Russian territory, a political decision may be made to destroy key decision-making centers in Kiev,” analyst Korotchenko said.

According to this expert, in response, Russia could attack with long-range missiles, a large-scale attack using cruise missiles could be carried out against Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

“This means that on the eve of winter, all other important objects of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure will be completely destroyed. In addition, the energy line with the West will be cut off. This will put an end to sustainable development, the existence of the military and government system that controls the country by the Zelensky government apparatus,” Korotchenko explained.

Earlier, Russian President's press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that allowing deep strikes into the Russian Federation, if it is accepted and Kiev implements it soon, would mean a new escalation of tensions. Mr. Peskov also recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin has made clear Moscow's position regarding decisions on long-range strikes on Russian territory.

Mr Putin has previously said that NATO countries are not only discussing the possibility of Ukraine using Western long-range weapons, but are essentially deciding whether to directly get involved in the conflict in Ukraine.

The Russian leader added that the direct involvement of Western countries in the Ukrainian conflict would change its nature; Russia would be forced to make decisions based on the threats created in this way.

American journalist and political activist Charlie Kirk wrote on social network X on November 18 that President Joe Biden's decision to allow Ukraine to attack deep into Russian territory with US missiles brings the world closer to World War III, and requires thinking about the consequences of Moscow's response.

"Biden is trying to start a third world war. This is unusual. Imagine if Russia gave someone missiles to shoot at America!" - political activist Kirk expressed his opinion.