In a significant escalation of tensions between Russia and the United States, Moscow has promised to retaliate against Washington after a Ukrainian missile strike on the Crimean Peninsula, which is currently under Russian control. The attack, which occurred on June 23, 2024, resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals and injured more than 150 others, according to Russian authorities.

Russia's Ministry of Defense reported that the Ukrainian military used U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) rockets in the assault, with one missile being intercepted by Russian air defense systems. The debris from the intercepted missile reportedly caused significant damage and casualties on the ground.

The Kremlin has directly accused the United States of being responsible for the attack, claiming that Washington supplied the weapons and provided targeting information. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated this accusation during a meeting in Minsk, stating that the ATACMS system "cannot be used without the direct participation of the American military, including satellite capabilities."

In response to the incident, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the U.S. Ambassador to Moscow, Lynne Tracy, to deliver a formal warning of retaliation. Russian President Vladimir Putin also spoke with the governor of Sevastopol, expressing his condolences to the victims' families and vowing that "consequences" would follow the attack.

The United States, which has been providing military aid to Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022, has denied direct involvement in the attack. However, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that Washington provides Ukraine with weapons to defend its sovereignty and expressed regret over any civilian loss of life.

The incident has further strained the already tense relationship between Russia and the West, with Russian officials warning of the most dangerous escalation to date in the ongoing conflict. The Kremlin has repeatedly accused the United States of waging a "proxy war" against Russia, and President Putin has suggested that Moscow might supply weapons to North Korea in response to Western arming of Ukraine.

As the situation continues to unfold, the international community is closely watching for signs of further escalation and potential consequences for the United States. The attack on Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014 and considers to be part of its territory, has raised concerns about the potential for a broader conflict between Russia and NATO.