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 the 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 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 that 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 dangers of Russia using long-range missiles in the Ukraine war?
## Interview on Putin’s Missile Threat
**Host:** Joining us today is Dr. Anya Ivanova, a leading expert on Russian foreign policy. Dr. Ivanova, thank you for being with us.
**Dr. Ivanova:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** We’re here to discuss the latest developments in the Ukraine war. Today, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to strike countries that supply Ukraine with long-range missiles used to attack Russian territory. This follows Russia’s reported testing of a new intermediate-range missile in an attack on Ukraine, allegedly in response to Ukrainian strikes using Western missiles. What’s your analysis of this situation?
**Dr. Ivanova:**
Putin’s statement is deeply concerning and represents a dangerous escalation of the conflict. By threatening to strike countries directly supporting Ukraine, he is effectively blurring the lines between the war in Ukraine and a wider European conflict. It’s a clear attempt to deter Western involvement and intimidate NATO allies.
**Host:**
You mentioned the alleged testing of a new missile. What do we know about this weapon and its potential capabilities?
**Dr. Ivanova:**
Information concerning the specific characteristics of the missile is still emerging and largely based on Ukrainian and Western assessments. However, Ukrainian President Zelensky claimed that the missile resembled an intercontinental ballistic missile. While this is yet to be confirmed, it underscores the potential for this weapon to be highly destructive and capable of reaching targets far beyond Ukraine.
**Host:**
What impact could the use of long-range missiles have on the conflict?
**Dr. Ivanova:**
The introduction of long-range missiles marks a dangerous new phase in the war. It expands the scope of the conflict geographically and raises the stakes significantly. It increases the risk of civilian casualties and could potentially pull NATO directly into the war.
Moreover, this escalation highlights the inherent risk of the conflict spilling over into a wider confrontation between Russia and NATO. Both sides must exercise restraint and prioritize diplomatic solutions to prevent a catastrophic escalation.
**Host:**
Thank you, Dr. Ivanova, for your valuable insights. This is a truly complex and worrying situation, and we will continue to monitor developments closely.