IN OUR SIGHTS
Map shows key Putin targets deep inside Russia now in Ukraine’s crosshairs – as his quivering TV puppets warn of WW3
The missiles will now be heavily used to blast targets inside Kursk
A MAP reveals key targets deep inside Russian territory that could now be blasted by Ukraine using long-range US missiles.
Joe Biden's bombshell decision to lift the missile ban marks a major turning point in the conflict - with the Kremlin warning the use of such missiles would be deemed a declaration of war.
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With an impressive range of 190 miles, the US-supplied ATACMS missiles could strike deep into Russian territory.
It means Kyiv could not only potentially hit frontline targets between Belgorod in the east to Odesa in the south, but also strike areas far inside Russia.
This includes regions as far as Rostov, Voronezh and Rostov.
It is understood the missiles could now be heavily used to blast targets inside Kursk - one of the key battlegrounds in the war where North Korean troops have been deployed to support Moscow.
Russia-Ukraine war
Biden's major decision comes just two months before President-elect Trump's return to the White House.
Until now, Biden had been against any escalation that he believed would draw the US and other Nato members into direct confrontation with Russia.
But he could have been prompted to give his blessing to use the rockets after Kim Jong-un sent thousands of troops from Pyongyang to fight in Kursk.
The first long-range attacks could be launched within the coming days, insiders say.
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America's ban lift marks a major escalation in the war and is "significant in terms of the end game", according to a former senior Nato official.
And it could now pave the way for the UK to follow suit and give the green light for its feared Storm Shadow missiles to be used to blast inside Russia.
Ukraine CAN fire crucial long-range missiles into Russia as Biden lifts ban in last act after Vlad unleashes air attack
DECLARATION OF WAR
But Putin's quivering puppets have warned the West that the use of long-range Nato missiles by Ukraine would be seen by the Kremlin as a declaration of war.
Putin’s spokesman made clear Moscow was watching closely after reports in the US that Biden has given Kyiv permission for ATACMS strikes on Russian territory.
Mouthpiece Dmitry Peskov referred to Putin’s earlier statements in St Petersburg when he indicated such a move could trigger a third world war.
He said: "We have, of course, paid attention to the relevant publications, which [are] without reference to any official sources.
"And here the position of our President, the position of the Russian side, was very clearly and unambiguously formulated by our Head of State in his statement that he made in St Petersburg….
"It says everything very clearly. I simply recommend that you read these words of the President once again."
'NEW ROUND OF TENSION'
Peskov was asked: “Is there any expectation in the Kremlin that with Donald Trump already in office, this decision [to fire US long-range missiles at Russian soil] could be reconsidered?”
The spokesman said: “If such a decision has indeed been formulated and communicated to the Kyiv regime, then, of course, this is a qualitatively new round of tension.
“And a qualitatively new situation in terms of US involvement in this conflict.
“I guess that's what we're primarily proceeding from.
“And most importantly, I repeat once again, our position here should be absolutely clear to everyone, and it is clear to everyone.
“These signals were read by the collective West for everyone, and they were voiced by the president in St. Petersburg.”
Putin’s other mouthpieces also issued apocalyptic warnings.
Putin-loyalist Vladimir Dzhabarov, deputy chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the upper house, said: "This is a very big step towards the beginning of the Third World War."
He slammed the move from Biden and said: “A departing old man who will no longer be responsible for anything in two months”.
Hardline Liberal-Democatic party leader Leonid Slutsky said: “Biden has decided to end his presidential term and go down in history as Bloody Joe.”
He warned: “It will mean only one thing - direct US participation in the military conflict in Ukraine, which will inevitably entail the harshest response from Russia, based on the threats that will be created for our country.”
It comes as Kim Jong-un could be readying 100,000 troops to help pal Putin's stalling war in Ukraine.
The North Korean despot has already sent 10,000 of his soldiers to be flung into the battleground as Putin looks to claw back Kursk
Despite warnings his troops could be used as "human shields", Kim could be prepared to deploy as many as 100,000 more to help flailing Putin's army, sources say.
Putin and Kim have been cosying up on the world stage - and insiders believe if their ties deepen, Pyongyang could be prepared to aid Vlad more.
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Sources familiar with assessments made by some Group of 20 nations say North Korea may dispatch as many as 100,000 troops, reports.
Batches of troops could be rotated over time rather than been hurled into the meatgrinder in a single deployment, it is understood.
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