What did 19 November 2024 change in the war's weapons debate?
A retrospective on a day when new missile packages, US mines and a Russian nuclear decree converged.
What happened on 19 November 2024, and why did it matter for the course of the war? Within a single day, Western military support, American policy and Russian nuclear doctrine all moved at once.
Two days earlier, on 17 November 2024, President Joe Biden had lifted restrictions on Ukraine's use of US weapons for deep attacks inside Russia. Ukrainian forces were planning to use the weapons in long-distance strikes in the coming days.
The same day, Russia launched its largest aerial attack on Ukraine in months. According to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, around 120 missiles and 90 drones were fired, damaging energy infrastructure across the country, killing at least seven people and causing widespread damage.
Allies prepare more weapons
On 19 November 2024, the United Kingdom and France were both preparing new military packages containing long-range missiles for Ukraine. The preparations followed Biden's decision to allow deep strikes into Russian territory with American weapons.
The same day, Biden also approved sending non-persistent anti-personnel mines to Ukraine. Ukraine committed not to use them in areas with civilians.
Moscow changes its nuclear stance
Also on 19 November 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing Russia to use nuclear weapons in response to conventional attacks by a non-nuclear state that is supported by a nuclear power.
Taken together, the day's reports showed Western capitals expanding the range of weapons available to Kyiv, while Moscow formally widened the circumstances in which it could contemplate a nuclear response.
