Tension between NATO and Russia escalated this past weekend as mainstream media outlets reported that the United States approved the use of ATACMS long-range missiles, and the governments of France and the United Kingdom granted Ukraine permission to use their SCALP/Storm Shadow cruise missiles. Prior to those reports inundating news headlines, Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova reiterated policy statements last Wednesday previously made by Putin and specified that “if the Kiev regime receives permission to carry out the attacks, we will consider it as NATO countries de facto entering into direct armed conflict with Russia. The response to the use of Western long-range systems to attack the territory of our country will be inevitable and devastating for them.”

Biden Authorizes Starting World War III Before Trump Takes Office… “The Neocon propaganda is that Biden has authorized the first use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles by Ukraine to strike inside Russia and then claim it will only be for short-range in defense of Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region of western Russia, the officials said. Let’s face the truth. Ukraine cannot defeat Russia, and this is all a ploy to weaken Russia for the NATO invasion… All the Neocons, from Dick Chaney and his daughter to Kinzinger, who claims NATO can defeat Russia in 3 days. They said the same BS about Iraq. These people think war is a game, and they have no regard for the lives lost to fulfill their thirst for war. Kiss your future goodbye and that of your children and grandchildren. These people should be dragged out of their offices in chains… The Russian Neocons have vowed to wipe Ukraine off the face of the Earth in such an event. Our computer has gone flatline on Ukraine, suggesting that it will no longer exist. The Ukrainian people had better rise up against Zelensky to save their future.” – Armstrong Economics, Nov. 17

The West’s decision on missile strikes was confirmed on Nov. 18 by the European Union’s outgoing foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. That major shift in policy by the collective West gives Russia “a free hand to attack NATO bases” and execute additional strikes on Ukraine’s military infrastructure to include airfields and weapons depots making it impossible for aircraft to deploy SCALP/Storm Shadow weapons. Putin also signed a decree that approved a revised nuclear doctrine titled “Foundations of State Policy on Nuclear Deterrence.” The Kremlin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that nuclear weapons are regarded by Russia as “a last resort” to an existential threat, and noted that the new doctrine “envisions a possible nuclear response in the event that Ukraine uses Western non-nuclear projectiles against Russia.” At 5am ET today, Bloomberg was the first to report that ATACMS were launched into Russia overnight. Also worth noting is a potential covert “hybrid action” that occurred over the weekend when two undersea communication cables linking Finland and Germany in the Baltic Sea were severed.

Here is a map and excerpt from “Who’s Bluffing” in Part XXIV (X thread) published on June 18, two video clips from legacy media since the weekend, and two statements from President-elect Trump’s inner circle:

Map of Long-Range Missile Reach into Russia

“The geopolitical chessboard for NATO’s proxy war with Russia in Ukraine has escalated much further since penning Part XXIII: “Virtue Signaling” (Twitter thread) on May 21. Most notable are the heightened rhetoric out of Europe to deploy NATO troops into Ukraine alongside military advisors and instructors who ‘have no immunity’ to death, reports on how NATO is actively ‘preparing for war’ and openly admitting the conflict between Moscow and Kiev must end with the defeat and breakup of the Russian Federation, and NATO members went along with Biden’s secret blessing to reverse the prohibition on Ukraine to strike deep within Russian territory using long-range missiles and other weapons provided by the collective West. Despite repeated warnings from Russian politicos and President Putin, (drone) attacks have commenced on targets deep within Russian territory that were formerly considered red lines on the road to nuclear conflict. The U.S. is unofficially at DEFCON 3, and the situation can easily spiral out of control to level 2 much sooner than anyone might expect. Take note that Russian state TV is reporting that World War III has already begun.” – TraderStef

Statement on WW3 Escalation – Donald Trump Jr., Nov. 17

Tensions escalate as Biden makes bombshell Ukraine announcement and Putin approves nuclear weapons – Sky News, Nov. 17

Joint Chiefs Support Strikes Deep Inside Russia – Jack Posobiec, Nov. 18

Breaking: Ukraine Strikes Russia Using ATACMS – Bloomberg, Nov. 19, 5am ET

The reported use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles striking inside Russian territory is a reckless escalation that could have catastrophic consequences. Allowing Ukraine to launch U.S. and/or European guided missiles and directed by U.S. military intelligence assets was a treacherous choice made by the Biden administration. It demonstrates a blatant disregard for the risk of provoking direct confrontation between nuclear-armed powers through actions on the battlefield that are not defensive, but rather an obvious attempt to escalate NATO’s proxy war against Russia via Ukraine before Trump’s inauguration in Jan. 2025. This shift in the collective West’s policy endangers the population of Ukraine, Russia, Europe, United States, and global stability. Trump made it clear that such reckless policies will not continue under his administration and will focus on bringing all sides to the negotiating table, achieve peace through strength, and utilize rational diplomacy.

Russia claims to intercept 6 US-made ATACMS fired by Ukraine in Bryansk attack… “Ukraine fired six U.S.-made ATACMS missiles at Russia’s Bryansk region, Russia’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday, days after U.S. President Joe Biden eased restrictions on Ukrainian use of American-made weapons in the war that has reached its 1,000-day milestone. Ukraine claimed it hit a military weapons depot in Bryansk in the middle of the night, though it didn’t specify what weapons it used. The Ukrainian General Staff said that multiple explosions and detonations were heard in the targeted area. In a statement carried by Russian news agencies, the Russian Defense Ministry said the military shot down five Army Tactical Missile Systems, known as ATACMS, and damaged one more.” – ABC3340 News, Nov. 19

There is not much more to add this morning on the above-mentioned developments. Live updates on the situation will be posted at this article’s thread on X. I recommend my readers be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.

Scott Ritter: Biden Suddenly Relevant as He Begins WWIII – Judge Napolitano, Nov. 18

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TraderStef on Twitter / Website: TraderStef.com