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.
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What are the potential consequences for NATO allies who are providing military aid to Ukraine following Putin’s threats?
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to the show, Professor Davies. Today, we’re discussing the latest escalation in the Ukraine conflict. President Putin has issued a number of alarming statements, including a direct threat to nations supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles. Can you shed some light on this development?
**Professor Davies:** Certainly. Putin’s recent speech marks a significant shift in rhetoric. He’s explicitly warned that Russia considers itself justified in striking military targets within countries that authorize the use of long-range missiles against Russian territory. This is a direct challenge to the West’s involvement in supporting Ukraine and raises serious concerns about the potential for a broader conflict.
**Interviewer:** What are the implications of this statement?
**Professor Davies:** This statement has several troubling implications. Firstly, it escalates the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders, directly threatening NATO allies who are providing crucial military aid. It’s a clear attempt by Putin to deter further Western involvement and sow discord within the alliance. Secondly, it raises the risk of miscalculation and unintended escalation. Misinterpreting signals or a misfire could easily trigger a wider conflict with potentially devastating consequences.
**Interviewer:** Putin has also announced the testing of a new intermediate-range missile in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil. How significant is this development?
**Professor Davies:** The launch of a new missile is certainly concerning. It demonstrates Russia’s continued investment in its military capabilities and its willingness to use them aggressively. While the specifics of the missile and its capabilities are still being debated, the fact that Russia launched it at all signifies a dangerous willingness to escalate the conflict.
**Interviewer:** What is the international community’s response to these developments?
**Professor Davies:** The international community is deeply concerned by Putin’s rhetoric and actions. Many countries are calling for restraint and a diplomatic solution to the conflict. However, the situation remains volatile and the risk of further escalation is very real.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Professor Davies. This is clearly a developing situation that we need to watch closely.
