Moscow could decide to strike those countries that have authorized Ukraine to use long-range missiles to strike deep into Russian territory. The warning comes directly from Russian President Vladimir Putin. “The conflict in Ukraine has acquired elements of a global character after attacks by Western long-range missiles against Russia,” the Kremlin chief said in a televised address to the nation. “It is impossible to use long-range weapons on Russian territory without specialists from the countries where they were produced, this is known,” the Russian president remarked. Hence the warning: «Russia considers itself authorized to use weapons against the military structures of countries that authorize the use of their weapons against Russia». Moscow, the Russian president further explained, “will respond decisively and speculate in the event of escalation”. Putin reassured of his intention to resolve the disputes “by peaceful means”. But, at the same time, the message is clear: “Russia is ready for any development of events.”
The Russian president then announced that Moscow had tested a new intermediate-range missile in an attack on Ukraine. The move came in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory with US and British missiles earlier in the week. Putin explained that advance warnings will be issued if there are further attacks with these missiles against Ukraine, to allow civilians to evacuate safely. This is also because, Putin underlined, “US air defense systems would not be able to intercept Russian missiles”. On the contrary, «Russian air defense systems repelled attacks by Western long-range missiles on the territory of Russia, the enemy’s objectives were not achieved». From Kiev the accusation is that the missile launched from Moscow “looks like an intercontinental ballistic missile”. According to the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, Putin “is using Ukraine as a testing ground.” However, after initial information from the Ukrainian Air Force, a Western official raised doubts whether it was indeed a missile of that caliber. The fact remains that long-range missiles represent a new phase of the war. As highlighted by the Russian ambassador to the United Kingdom, Andrei Kelin, with the use of British Storm Shadow missiles on Russian soil «Britain is now directly involved in the war».
“These fights cannot take place without the intervention of NATO and Great Britain,” the ambassador remarked. Zelensky’s presidential advisor, Mykhailo Podolyak, speaking to LaPresse about the use of Western missiles, highlighted how “the decisions of our partners will have an extremely important impact on the course of the war as a whole.” “Right now we are already seeing a panic reaction from Russia, which it is trying to disguise with classic ‘nuclear threats’ and the use of various missile formats for mass attacks against civilians,” commented Podolyak.
#Escalation #Mirror #response #conflict #global #Tempo
How has Western support for Ukraine contributed to the escalation of tensions in the conflict?
## Interview Transcript: Russian Missile Strikes Ukraine
**Host:** Welcome back to the program. Today we’re discussing the escalating tensions in Ukraine following Russia’s use of a new ballistic missile. Joining us to dissect this alarming development is Dr. Emily Carter, a leading expert on Russian military strategy. Dr. Carter, welcome to the show.
**Dr. Carter:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Let’s dive right in. This week, Russia launched a ballistic missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, with President Putin framing it as retaliation for Ukraine using Western-supplied missiles to attack Russia. Can you walk us through the significance of this escalation?
**Dr. Carter:** This event marks a dangerous new phase in the conflict. While Ukraine has carried out strikes on Russian territory, they’ve primarily targeted military infrastructure and logistical hubs. This latest attack, however, is significant because it directly targets a civilian population center and underscores the potential for further escalation. [1](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-launches-intercontinental-ballistic-missile-attack-ukraine-kyiv-says-2024-11-21/) The type of missile used is also crucial. While details are still emerging, reports suggest it may be a hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile, which represents a significant leap in terms of offensive capability and underscores Russia’s willingness to deploy increasingly advanced weapons.
**Host:** Dr. Carter, Putin stated that this action was a response to Ukrainian attacks enabled by Western support. How likely is it that this conflict will spill over beyond Ukraine’s borders?
**Dr. Carter:** President Putin’s speech issued a direct warning to Western countries providing Ukraine with long-range weapons, claiming that Russia considers itself authorized to strike back against nations supporting Ukraine’s offensive capabilities. This rhetoric, while concerning, is likely a tactic intended to deter further Western involvement.
**Host:** So you’re saying this isn’t necessarily a prelude to a wider conflict?
**Dr. Carter:** It’s a delicate situation. While a direct military confrontation with NATO remains unlikely, the risk of unintended escalation cannot be ignored. Both sides are engaged in a dangerous game of brinkmanship, with the potential for miscalculation always present.
**Host:** Dr. Carter, thank you for your invaluable insights. This is clearly a situation that demands close monitoring in the days and weeks ahead.
**Dr. Carter:** Thank you for having me. The international community must work towards de-escalation and engage in diplomatic efforts to prevent this conflict from spiraling further out of control.