### Escalation in Ukraine Intensifies as Trump Prepares for Office

The conflict in Ukraine has suddenly intensified, with long-range missiles and increased threats from Russia marking a new, volatile phase. President-elect Donald J. Trump, who has pledged to resolve the war in a day, is set to take office shortly, bringing a radically different foreign policy approach compared to the Biden administration.

Recent developments in the warzone have seen the 38th Separate Marine Brigade utilizing Soviet-era 152 mm field guns to push back against the Russian Army’s advances around the villages near Pokrovsk. This escalation has also witnessed American-made ballistic missiles being used by Ukrainian forces to strike inside Russia, inciting a chilling response from President Vladimir V. Putin.

The use of advanced weaponry has contributed to increasing tensions. In return, Moscow has issued new nuclear threats, underscoring the precariousness of the situation. With the transition of U.S. leadership imminent, the conflict appears to be entering one of its most critical phases.

Anton Troianovski, the Moscow bureau chief for The New York Times, highlights the urgency and danger of this new phase in the conflict. Reporting from Moscow, he covers not just Russia but the broader Eastern Europe region, including the Caucasus and Central Asia.

As Trump steps into his role, the global community is closely watching to see how his administration’s policies will impact the already turbulent situation in Ukraine.