authorization to use missiles “will not change anything” in the action of Russian forces, according to a Russian MP

Authorization from Washington to kyiv to use long-range American missiles to strike Russia “won’t change anything” to Moscow’s conduct of its battles with Ukraine, a Russian MP warned on Monday. “This will not change the course of the operation, absolutely nothing. We will continue to fulfill our missions as we have always done”declared to the Russian public agency Ria Novosti, Andreï Kartapolov, chairman of the defense committee of the lower house of the Russian parliament. “This factor will of course be taken into account, but the objectives set by” Vladimir Putin in Ukraine “will be achieved”he continued.

“Prevent planes from taking off”

An American official confirmed to AFP on Sunday evening the announcement by American media that Joe Biden had given this authorization to kyiv. In September, Vladimir Putin warned that such a Western green light “would mean nothing less than direct involvement of NATO countries in the war in Ukraine”. Andrei Kartapolov explained that to counter these missiles, it would be necessary “prevent planes from taking off”. “We are actively focusing on this task, intensively targeting airfield infrastructure. “It’s a priority, because if a plane doesn’t take off, the missile won’t be launched.”he stressed.

Although Ukrainians “declare that they want to strike military targets, they often hit towns and inhabited areas, which constitutes a real danger”continued the elected official. Russian President Vladimir Putin “has already indicated what this would mean for our Western partners”he added. “Nevertheless, this is an unprecedented move. This is a very important step towards the start of the Third World War, and the Americans will do it under the leadership of a departing old man, who will no longer be responsible for anything in two months.noted Vladimir Jabarov, another parliamentarian, warning that “Russia’s response will be immediate”.

China calls for peace in Ukraine, after authorization from Washington

China on Monday again called for peace in Ukraine, which was authorized by Washington, according to a US official, to strike Russian territory with long-range missiles supplied by the United States.

“The most urgent thing is to encourage an appeasement of the situation as quickly as possible”said Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a regular press conference, requesting a “rapid ceasefire and a political solution”.

Russia says it shot down 59 Ukrainian drones

The Russian Defense Ministry announced Monday morning that it had shot down 59 Ukrainian drones, notably over the border regions of Ukraine and in the Moscow region. “During the night, attempts by the kyiv regime to carry out terrorist attacks with aerial drones against sites on Russian territory were prevented”the ministry said in a press release. “Air defense systems destroyed 59 Ukrainian drones”he clarified.

The majority of drones were neutralized over the regions of Bryansk (45), Kursk (6) and Belgorod (3), all three bordering Ukraine, according to the same source. Three drones were shot down over the Tula region, south of the Russian capital, and two others over the Moscow region, the statement added.

According to the mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, one of the drones shot down in the Moscow region fell in the Ramenskoye district, without causing any damage or injuries. The second was neutralized in the Pavlovo-Possad district, he said on Telegram. Russia announces almost daily that it has destroyed Ukrainian drones launched against its territory, but in generally lower numbers. kyiv says it is carrying out these strikes, which often target energy sites, in response to Russian bombings on its territory.