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 Russia's energy exports correspond to the Asia-Pacific”>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
What are the strategic consequences of Russia’s reported testing of a new intermediate-range ballistic missile in Ukraine?
## Putin’s Missile Threat: An Interview
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to the show. Joining us today is Dr. Elena Petrova, a leading expert on Russian foreign policy. Dr. Petrova, thank you for being here.
**Dr. Petrova:** Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer:** President Putin has made some inflammatory statements recently, directly threatening countries that provide Ukraine with long-range missiles. Could you elaborate on this?
**Dr. Petrova:** Putin’s statement reflects a significant escalation in the rhetoric surrounding the conflict. He’s essentially drawing a red line, warning the West that providing Ukraine with weapons capable of striking Russian territory will result in direct retaliation against those countries. This is a dangerous development, as it raises the stakes and risks direct confrontation between Russia and NATO members.
**Interviewer:** We’ve also seen reports that Russia recently tested a new intermediate-range ballistic missile in an attack on Ukraine. Can you explain the strategic implications of this move?
**Dr. Petrova:** This action is indeed significant. It signals Russia’s willingness to use increasingly powerful weaponry in this conflict. While the exact nature of the missile is still being debated, the fact that Putin publicly announced it suggests a deliberate attempt to intimidate Ukraine and its allies. It’s also a demonstration of Russia’s capabilities, reminding the world of its arsenal and military strength.
**Interviewer:** Some have argued that this new phase of the war, involving long-range missiles, increases the risk of the conflict spiraling out of control. What are your thoughts on this?
**Dr. Petrova:** Unfortunately, I believe those concerns are valid. The introduction of these weapons systems significantly raises the potential for unintended escalation. Miscalculations, errors in target identification, or accidental launches could have devastating consequences. It’s crucial for all parties involved to exercise extreme caution and prioritize diplomatic solutions to de-escalate the situation before it spins further out of control.
**Interviewer:** Dr. Petrova, thank you for your insightful analysis. We will continue to monitor this developing story closely.
