Kremlin on Monday issued a stark warning to the United States, accusing it of “throwing oil on the fire” by permitting Ukraine to use long-range American missiles to target Russian territory. Moscow said such a decision would escalate tensions and deepen Washington’s involvement in the ongoing conflict.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov criticised the Biden administration, alleging it seeks to escalate the war in Ukraine while still in power. “If such a decision has been made, it will usher in a new round of tension,” Peskov said, adding that allowing Western weapons to strike deep into Russia would signify direct involvement by NATO countries, including the US, in the war.
The warning comes as reports surfaced that President Joe Biden has authorised Ukraine to use Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) for strikes deeper inside Russia. This decision, reportedly made after months of lobbying by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marks a significant shift in US policy. For months, Biden resisted providing such weaponry, fearing it could provoke a broader conflict with nuclear-armed Russia.

Russian lawmaker Maria Butina accused Biden of endangering global security. “They are seriously risking the start of World War Three,” she told Reuters. She also expressed hope that incoming President Donald Trump, who has pledged to end the war swiftly, would reverse the decision once in office.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously warned that such moves would implicate NATO in the conflict. “Western approval for these strikes would mean direct NATO involvement because their infrastructure and personnel would be essential for targeting,” Putin said.
The decision comes amidst reports that North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia, with intelligence officials claiming Pyongyang has also supplied munitions to bolster Moscow’s dwindling stockpiles. Putin has stationed these forces along Ukraine’s northern border, aiming to reclaim lost territory.