According to Ukrainian media RBC Ukraine, on November 19 local time, Ukrainian forces used the U.S. Army's Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) for the first time to strike a facility in Russia's Bryansk region. Currently, there has been no response from either Ukrainian officials or the Russian side.
It is reported that this information was provided to RBC-Ukraine by informed sources from the Ukrainian Defense Forces. They stated that this attack successfully hit a military facility near the city of Karachev in Russia's Bryansk region, approximately 130 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
Earlier that same day, Russian President Putin approved an updated nuclear doctrine, expanding the scope of countries and military alliances against which Russia can implement nuclear deterrence. Any non-nuclear country that participates in or supports aggression against Russia is considered to be engaging in a 'joint attack' against Russia. Additionally, Russia will consider the possibility of using nuclear weapons upon receiving reliable information of concentrated air and space attack weapons being launched and crossing the Russian border.
The situation between Russia and Ukraine has suddenly intensified this week. On November 17, several authoritative Western media outlets reported that U.S. President Biden authorized Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles (with a range of up to 300 kilometers) for limited strikes on Russian territory. It is speculated that this approval applies to strikes on targets in the Kursk region, including positions of the North Korean military involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The U.S. government has not officially confirmed this rumor. However, European foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell stated the day before that Ukraine had received 'approval,' and this issue was discussed at the EU foreign ministers' meeting.
Additionally, the French newspaper Le Figaro reported on the 17th that 'France and the UK allow Ukraine to use their SCALP and Storm Shadow cruise missiles to strike Russian territory.'
In light of the latest escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, global stock markets have plummeted, with European benchmark indices falling nearly 1% and U.S. stock index futures declining. Safe-haven assets have risen, with global bonds, gold, the yen, and the Swiss franc all experiencing increases.
Andrea Tueni, head of sales trading at Saxo Bank France, said, 'The market reaction is logical; people have felt the tensions escalating since yesterday. The current market reaction is under control, and some are still in wait-and-see mode.'
On November 18, there was an explosion and fire at the 67th military factory of the Russian Ministry of Defense's Artillery, Rocket, and Missile Command (GRAU) in the city of Karachev, Bryansk region, Russia.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, stated that artillery ammunition, including North Korean shells, is stored in this arsenal, as well as adjustable aerial bombs, air defense missiles, and multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) ammunition.
This is not the first attack on this arsenal. It was previously attacked by Ukrainian drones in October. Subsequently, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that such attacks posed logistical problems for the enemy and reduced their offensive potential.
Meanwhile, investors are also waiting for the nomination of U.S. President-elect Trump's Secretary of the Treasury, with the current candidates expanding to include Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management, and former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh joining the list of contenders.
Article forwarded from: Jin Shi Data