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UN calls for protecting civilians amid reports on US authorizing strikes inside Russia

The New York Times reported on November 17 that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

UNITED NATIONS, November 18. /TASS/. The United Nations calls for ensuring the safety of civilians, Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for the UN Secretary General, said, commenting on reports about US President Joe Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to use US-supplied ATACMS ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia.

"All parties must ensure the safety and protection of civilians, regardless of wherever they are," he said.

The New York Times reported on November 17 that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia. Later, France’s Le Figaro reported that France and the United Kingdom had followed suit and allowed Ukraine to use their SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles for these purposes. However, the newspaper later removed this story from its website, giving no explanations. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that Paris had not altered its position on strikes inside Russia. The German government said that the United States had notified Berlin about Biden’s decision.

Meanwhile, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov recalled that Moscow’s position on potential strikes inside Russia with American missiles was clearly and unequivocally expressed by President Vladimir Putin in September. This decision, in his words, means a "qualitatively new spiral" of escalation.

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