INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Ukraine fired a volley of British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russia on Wednesday, the latest new Western weapon it has been permitted
to use on Russian targets a day after it fired U.S
ATACMS missiles.The strikes were widely reported by Russian war correspondents on Telegram and confirmed by an official on condition of
far from the border would be a major escalation in the conflict
1,000th day this week.Accounts of Russian war correspondents on Telegram posted video they said included the sound of the missiles striking
Kursk region, which borders northeastern Ukraine.At least 14 huge explosions could be heard, most of them preceded by the sharp whistle of
what sounded like an incoming missile
The video, shot in a residential area, showed black smoke rising in the distance.The pro-Russian Two Majors channel on Telegram said Ukraine
fired up to 12 Storm Shadows into the Kursk region and carried pictures of missile pieces with the name Storm Shadow clearly visible.A
spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declined to comment.Britain had previously allowed Ukraine to use Storm Shadows, which
have a range in excess of 250 km (155 miles), within Ukrainian territory.The Kyiv government has been pressing Western partners for
permission to use such weapons to strike targets deep inside Russia, and it obtained the all-clear from U.S
United States shut its embassy in Kyiv on Wednesday as a precaution due to what it called the threat of a significant air attack
It later said the embassy would reopen on Thursday.The Pentagon on Wednesday also announced $275 million in military aid to Ukraine that
included more ammunition for the HIMARS rocket system, and the Biden administration moved to forgive $4.7 billion in U.S
loans to Ukraine as outgoing officials sought to do what they could to bolster Kyiv before they leave office.Anticipating Trump
with heavy guided bombs.Western countries say the arrival of more than 10,000 North Korean troops to fight for Russia in recent weeks was an
escalation that merited a response.The first use of the U.S
announced a change to its nuclear doctrine to lower the threshold for the use of atomic weapons
Washington has said it sees no need to adjust its own nuclear posture and accused Moscow of resorting to irresponsible rhetoric.Military
analysts have said the longer-range missiles are unlikely to give Ukraine a decisive edge in the war but could strengthen its position,
afternoon on Wednesday jangled nerves
measures of intimidation and psychological pressure on society
Canada said it suspended in-person services at its mission
The French embassy remained open but urged its citizens to be cautious
The Kremlin said it had no comment.Russian foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin said in an interview published on Wednesday that
Moscow would retaliate against NATO countries that facilitate long-range Ukrainian missile strikes against Russian territory.The war is at a
doubts over the future of Western aid under Trump, whose nominees for administration posts include sceptics of support for Kyiv.On Sunday,
the hobbled energy network.Source: Reuters--Agencies
