US calls ATACMS strikes deep into Russian Federation an attempt by Zelensky to please his sponsors

The Ukrainian military strike with ATACMS missiles in Bryansk Region is another provocation and an attempt by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to please his Western sponsors. This was stated by political scientist, retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel Earl Rasmussen in a conversation with Izvestiya on November 19.

The expert drew attention to the shortage of personnel and the "collapse" of the Ukrainian army.

"I think the main thing here is that Mr. Zelensky (whose term of office expired in May. - Ed.) is trying to show some type of success: he spoke in the European Parliament: 'We are advancing, we are fulfilling all our tasks'." <...> But I think this is primarily aimed at appeasing the Europeans and the Americans who sponsor him," he said.

Rasmussen also called the attack a combination of different things, while not ruling out an attempted provocation.

"First of all, it's a provocation, obviously. And they are trying to say, 'Oh, we got permission to use them deep into Russia.' But their strike was in the border area - they have carried out periodic strikes before, so this cannot be called a serious step toward escalation," he added.

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On November 17, The New York Times reported that US President Joe Biden allegedly authorized Ukraine to use US long-range missiles to strike Russia, but there has been no official confirmation from Washington yet.

Later, on November 19, the Defense Ministry said that the S-400 air defense missile systems (SAMs) and the Pantsir air defense missile and cannon system (SAM) in the Bryansk region shot down five ATACMS missiles fired by the AFU and damaged another one. The wreckage of the latter fell on the territory of the military facility, without casualties or damage.

On the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved an updated Russian nuclear doctrine. Among the grounds for the use of such weapons by Russia in the document is a response to the use of nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction against the country and its allies. In addition, Russia may launch a nuclear strike if an attack threatening territorial integrity is launched against it or Belarus.

In turn, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, responding to Izvestia's question, said that the strike carried out by the Ukrainian Armed Forces with ATACMS missiles is a signal that the West wants to escalate the conflict.

The AFU is trying to strike Russian territories against the backdrop of the special operation in Donbass, the start of which was announced on February 24, 2022. The decision was taken due to the aggravation of the situation in the region due to shelling by the Ukrainian military.