Escalation of NATO-Russia Tensions: Ukraine Strikes Back with Western Missiles
Escalating Tensions Between NATO and Russia
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Tensions continue to rise between NATO nations and Russia. This escalation follows Ukraine‘s launch of missiles from two NATO member countries, the United States (US) and the United Kingdom, into Russia.
On Wednesday, Ukraine began using American long-range weapons, the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), to strike several Russian cities. Russia reported that its forces intercepted five out of six ATACMS aimed at military facilities in Bryansk.
Shortly after, Kyiv fired the British-made Storm Shadow missiles at Russia for the first time. Unconfirmed images circulated on Telegram showed missile debris in the Kursk region.
Ukraine justified its missile usage as a necessary measure to limit Russia’s military movements and supplies, which continue to threaten Ukraine. This move came in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s warning that using American and British missiles within Russian borders would equate to direct NATO involvement in the conflict.
Putin also revised Russia’s nuclear doctrine, stating that countries assisting enemies in attacking Russia could become legitimate nuclear targets.
However, Jack Watling, a senior researcher at the Royal United Services Institute, believes that the West’s use of long-range missiles will not provoke a nuclear response from Russia, despite fears in some Western circles. He noted that Russia might explore various means to retaliate against the West, including sabotage and using proxies to disrupt trade.
Moreover, Pavel Povdig, a senior researcher at the UN Institute for Disarmament Research, expressed doubt about Moscow dropping bombs in Ukraine, claiming it wouldn’t help Russia achieve any military goals.
Non-Nuclear Options for Russia
Russia has other ways to retaliate without resorting to nuclear weapons. It has armed migrants heading to the west and directed them toward the borders of Poland, Lithuania, and Finland, aiming to create political difficulties for those countries.
Russian military intelligence has also conducted assassinations in countries like the UK, Germany, and Spain. Russia is believed to have planned sabotage attacks, including the use of incendiary devices at DHL cargo centers in Germany and the UK.
In the US and Europe, Russian internet bots have intensified polarization issues, aiming to weaken social cohesion and strengthen right-wing movements. Additionally, Russia has been accused of disrupting GPS signals, particularly over the Baltic Sea, affecting the navigation of many passenger planes.
On Wednesday, Danish authorities identified a Chinese cargo ship near the Baltic Sea region where two undersea communication cables were cut earlier in the week. However, Elisabeth Braw, a conflict expert at the Atlantic Council, suggested that this does not rule out Russian involvement.
Russia’s Retaliatory Attacks
Meanwhile, Russia launched intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) from Astrakhan in the southern region of the country in an attack on Ukraine on Thursday, marking the first use of such powerful missiles in the ongoing conflict.
Reports indicate that the strikes targeted essential infrastructure and companies in Dnipro, eastern Ukraine. However, there are no clear details from Ukraine’s Air Force regarding the specific targets of the ICBMs or the extent of the damage caused.
ICBMs typically have a range of thousands of kilometers and can carry nuclear warheads, although they may also be equipped with conventional warheads. Ukraine successfully intercepted six Kh-101 cruise missiles also involved in the attack.
The situation remains tense as both sides navigate this complex military landscape.