What's happened
Russia claims to have downed U.S.-made ATACMS missiles supplied to Ukraine over Crimea, escalating tensions in the region. The U.S. had sent these missiles to Ukraine to target areas beyond the front line, with the latest versions having a range of up to 190 miles. Moscow insists these missiles won't alter the conflict's outcome, while Ukraine faced ammunition shortages due to delayed U.S. deliveries.
What's behind the headline?
What the papers say
The Moscow Times reports Russia downed four U.S.-made ATACMS missiles over Crimea, while Business Insider UK highlights the potential of these missiles to make Crimea 'militarily worthless' to Russia. The contrasting views underscore the strategic significance of the missile shipments and their impact on the conflict dynamics.
How we got here
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. Ukraine has sought military support from the U.S. to counter Russian aggression, leading to the recent shipment of ATACMS missiles with extended range. The latest incidents mark an escalation in hostilities, with both sides engaging in military actions amid heightened tensions.
Common question
More on these topics
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Crimea is a peninsula located on the northern coast of the Black Sea in Eastern Europe that is almost completely surrounded by both the Black Sea and the smaller Sea of Azov to the northeast. The status of Crimea is disputed.
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The Moscow Times is an English-language online-only newspaper based in Moscow. It was in print from 1992 until 2017, with a peak circulation of 55,000.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in