Russia vows retaliation for Belgorod missile strike

Russia accused Ukraine of launching a missile strike on its Russia — Belgorod Oblast using US-supplied ATACMS missiles on January 3 and vowed retaliation. Russia's defense ministry stated that all eight missiles were shot down. This incident follows Joe Biden's authorization for Ukraine to use long-range weapons against Russia, a move the Kremlin denounced as an escalation. Vladimir Putin previously threatened to strike central Kyiv if Ukraine continued using Western long-range weapons. Donald Trump expressed strong opposition to Ukraine's use of these arms, citing escalation concerns. In other developments, a Russian strike killed a 74-year-old man in Ukraine's Ukraine — Kharkiv Oblast, and Russia claimed to have captured the Ukrainian village of Nadiia in Ukraine — Luhansk Oblast. Russia has advanced by nearly 4,000 square kilometers in Ukraine in 2024, while Ukraine's army faces manpower shortages. Russian forces are also attempting to bypass Ukraine — Pokrovsk in Ukraine — Donetsk Oblast to cut off supply routes.