Russia Deploys New Missile in Response to Ukraine’s Use of Western Weapons
The Kremlin launched a new intermediate-range ballistic missile, dubbed Oreshnik ("hazelnut tree"), in retaliation for Ukraine's deployment of U.S. and British long-range missiles. President Vladimir Putin stated that this weapon could potentially target nations enabling Ukraine’s strikes.
Key Details of the New Russian Missile
Putin announced that the Oreshnik missile can travel at ten times the speed of sound and carry conventional or nuclear warheads. While aimed at a missile factory in Dnipro, the attack was part of escalating military responses following Ukraine's strikes on Russian regions like Bryansk and Kursk using Western-supplied missiles.
The Pentagon confirmed the missile's experimental nature, derived from Russia's RS-26 Rubezh ICBM design. Despite its speed, experts remain skeptical of its reliability. Notably, Moscow issued a rare advance warning about the launch through nuclear risk channels.
Russia Deploys New Missile in Response to Ukraine’s Use of Western Weapons
The Kremlin launched a new intermediate-range ballistic missile, dubbed Oreshnik ("hazelnut tree"), in retaliation for Ukraine's deployment of U.S. and British long-range missiles. President Vladimir Putin stated that this weapon could potentially target nations enabling Ukraine’s strikes.
Key Details of the New Russian Missile
Putin announced that the Oreshnik missile can travel at ten times the speed of sound and carry conventional or nuclear warheads. While aimed at a missile factory in Dnipro, the attack was part of escalating military responses following Ukraine's strikes on Russian regions like Bryansk and Kursk using Western-supplied missiles.
The Pentagon confirmed the missile's experimental nature, derived from Russia's RS-26 Rubezh ICBM design. Despite its speed, experts remain skeptical of its reliability. Notably, Moscow issued a rare advance warning about the launch through nuclear risk channels.
Escalating Rhetoric and Regional Impacts
Putin emphasized that Russia retains the right to target facilities in countries supplying Ukraine with weaponry. He criticized Western leaders for enabling such attacks and warned of decisive retaliation if aggression escalates. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the missile strike as a severe escalation and a blatant violation of international norms.
Zelenskyy highlighted concerns about global indifference, urging allied nations to respond firmly. Analysts suggested the missile deployment is a symbolic show of strength aimed at both Ukraine and NATO allies, signaling a readiness for further escalation.
Wider Implications on the War
The U.S.'s easing of restrictions on Ukraine’s use of American missiles to strike inside Russia has sparked tension. Some experts view this as a strategic move to counter Russia’s advantage in the war, though others caution against its potential to provoke broader conflict.
In response to NATO’s actions, Putin signed a doctrine lowering the threshold for nuclear responses, a move criticized by Western nations as reckless.
Conclusion: Testing Global Boundaries
As tensions rise, the Kremlin's actions appear designed to test Western resolve while maintaining its narrative of victimhood. Observers believe that while these developments may not decisively change the war’s trajectory, they mark a dangerous phase in the conflict.
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