Zelensky declared his intention to use ATACMS missiles

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (whose term of office expired on May 20) said at a joint press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on November 19 that he intends to use US ATACMS missiles in combat operations.

"Ukraine has long-range capabilities, we have long-range drones of our own production, we now have Neptune, and not just one. And now we have ATACMS, and we will use it all," said the head of the Kiev regime, an excerpt of whose speech was published in the Telegram channel "RBC-Ukraine."

At the same time, as Bloomberg news agency wrote, Ukraine's allies do not expect the US decision to radically change the balance of power on the battlefield. As it became known, officials do not believe that such a move by the U.S. will change the balance in the conflict, during which Ukrainian troops have been losing ground in recent months, adds "Gazeta.Ru".

Range deadline: what could change U.S. authorization for strikes deep inside Russian Federation

How the current events will affect the course of the conflict in Ukraine and Russia's response to it

On the eve of the head of the diplomatic service of the European Union (EU) Josep Borrell confirmed that the U.S. administration has lifted restrictions on strikes by U.S . missiles at a distance of up to 300 kilometers deep into Russian territory. At the same time, Deputy National Security Advisor to the US President John Feiner did not confirm that Washington had given such authorization to Kiev. The official emphasized that the White House bases its decisions on the situation on the battlefield.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova emphasized that Kiev's possible use of long-range missiles for such purposes would receive an "adequate and tangible" response. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the topic, pointed out that such a move by the United States would be a qualitatively new round of tension.

In turn, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that what is happening creates the danger of a world war. Later, ex-CIA officer and analyst Raymond McGovern assessed such a US move as desperation and recklessness.

The Russian Defense Ministry said on November 19 that the S-400 air defense missile system and the Pantsir air defense missile and cannon system 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

Western countries have stepped up military and financial support for Ukraine amid Russia's special operation to protect Donbass, which began on February 24, 2022. The decision to carry it out was taken by the Russian president due to the aggravation of the situation in the region in connection with the increased shelling by Ukrainian troops.