Ukraine Escalates War With First U.S.-Backed Strike Inside Russia

Kyiv targets Russian airbase as Moscow ramps up missile attacks and deploys foreign troops, with geopolitical tensions rising ahead of Trump’s presidency.

Ukraine used U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles to strike a Russian airbase in the Kursk region, marking its first attack inside Russia with American weapons.
Russia retaliated with missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, including Odesa and Dnipro, causing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.
North Korea has reportedly supplied Russia with over 1 million barrels of oil and ballistic missiles, while also sending troops to support Moscow’s war effort.
The Biden administration lifted restrictions on Ukraine's use of U.S. long-range weapons this month, as concerns mount over President-elect Trump’s pro-Russia stance and potential policy shifts.
Putin has intensified military efforts, gaining ground in southeastern Ukraine, while signaling a readiness to leverage nuclear threats to deter NATO involvement.