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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh.

Ukraine has fired seven U.S. made ballistic missiles deep into Russia for the first time.

Russia says it shot down the incoming missiles but describes the attack as a significant

escalation in the war.

Here's NPR's Greg Myrie.

Ukraine launched missiles, known as attack them, into southwest Russia, across as a significant escalation in the war. Here's NPR's Greg Myrie.

Ukraine launched missiles, known as Attackums, into southwest Russia across the border from northern Ukraine.

Ukraine appeared to be targeting a weapon storage facility.

A U.S. official confirmed the attack to NPR.

Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, called it a new phase in the war, saying, quote,

this is a signal they want escalation. President Biden recently gave Ukraine permission to use the attackings inside Russia. Previously, the U.S. said Ukraine could only fire the powerful

missiles against Russian forces inside Ukraine.

Greg Myrie, NPR News, Washington.

Nearly 100 House Democrats have sent a letter urging the Ethics Committee to release a findings of an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against former Congressman Matt Gates.

The president elects pick for Attorney General is expected to go through

a rigorous confirmation hearing in the Senate. Republican Senator Tom Tillis of North Carolina

says relevant information will come to light with or without the report. It's nonsense. I mean,

we're creating a false crisis because the reality is all that information is going to be on display

at the hearing. Think Brett Kavanaugh.

And attorney for two women says that his clients testified before the House Ethics Committee that Gates paid them for sex.

Joel Leopards quoted, saying one of his clients testified she witnessed Gates having sex with a 17-year-old girl at a 2017 party.

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