The Russia-Ukraine war has hit 1,000 days and things are getting worse. On November 19 Ukraine launched US-made ATACMS into Russia’s Bryansk region. This was approved by President Biden and marks a new level of intensity in the war. The long-range missiles show Ukraine is determined to counter Russian aggression with more military might.
Civilian casualties are rising as well. On the same day, a drone attack in Sumy killed at least 12 people including a child and 11 others. This follows a missile strike in Odesa that killed 10 civilians and wounded 44 including 4 children. Attacks on civilian areas are being widely condemned, and the human toll of the war is getting worse.
Meanwhile, Putin has changed Russia’s nuclear doctrine. The new strategy expands the circumstances under which nuclear weapons can be used, including if a non-nuclear state is collaborating with a nuclear power against Russia. This is a big warning to Ukraine and the West and raises the stakes.
International reactions are mixed. French President Emmanuel Macron is backing US military aid to Ukraine and says we must resist aggression. Others are worried about the risks of escalation. The Kremlin is also warning that if Ukraine uses long-range missiles Ukraine will get a strong countermeasure, so the situation is very precarious.
So it’s getting worse. Both sides are getting more prepared and the people and the geopolitics are getting more complicated. No peace in sight.