International
Putin Warns UK, US As New Missile Hits Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that his forces launched a new intermediate-range missile, codenamed Oreshnik, during an attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday. He described the strike as a direct response to Ukraine’s recent use of US and UK long-range weaponry to hit targets inside Russia.
In a televised statement, Putin warned that Russia might target military facilities in nations supplying such weaponry to Ukraine. This follows a significant policy shift by the US and the UK, which recently authorized the use of US ATACMS and UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles by Ukrainian forces.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia’s missile deployment, calling it “a severe escalation in the scale and brutality of this war.” Writing on X, Zelensky accused Putin of “prolonging the war and mocking global efforts for peace.” He also alleged that the missile bore similarities to an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), although Western experts expressed skepticism over this claim.
The US National Security Council stated that Russia likely used “an experimental medium-range ballistic missile” against Ukraine, adding that Moscow likely possesses only a limited number of these weapons. The Pentagon confirmed that Russia had briefly notified the US about the launch through Nuclear Risk Reduction channels.
Putin claimed the missile successfully hit its target during what he referred to as a “test” of a non-nuclear hypersonic variant, capable of reaching speeds of 10 Mach (2.5-3km/s). He declared, “There is no way of counteracting this weapon,” and issued a stark warning to the West, asserting, “Russia is ready for any developments. Doubts should be put to rest—we will always respond.”
Strategic and Symbolic Implications
Military analysts have offered insights into the weapon’s potential impact. Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), noted that the missile appears to have a longer range than Russia’s Iskander missiles, which have been extensively used in the conflict and are limited to a range of 500km (311 miles).
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Intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) typically have ranges between 3,000 and 5,500km. While the use of such a weapon may have limited immediate military significance, Savill emphasized its symbolic value, particularly in light of Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine, which is perceived as lowering the threshold for nuclear engagement.
Savill added that the strike serves as a reminder of Russia’s extensive missile capabilities and its willingness to develop more advanced systems.
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