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.
#Escalation #Mirror #response #conflict #global #Tempo
What are Dr. Petrova’s views on Russia’s claim of testing a new missile?
**Interview with Dr. Maria Petrova, International Relations Expert**
**Host:** Dr. Petrova, thank you for joining us today. We are seeing escalating tensions in the Ukraine conflict following recent attacks with long-range missiles, with Russia threatening retaliation against countries providing these weapons. How significant is this development?
**Dr. Petrova:** **[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Putin)** This is a very concerning escalation.
President Putin’s statements clearly signal a shift in the conflict. By directly threatening countries like the US and UK, who are supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles, Russia is raising the stakes considerably.
**Host:** Putin claims these attacks are turning the Ukraine war into a global conflict. Is this rhetoric simply political posturing, or is there a real risk of broader involvement?
**Dr. Petrova:** There is a definite risk of miscalculation and escalation. Putin’s rhetoric, while potentially intended to deter further arms supplies, also risks provoking a direct response from NATO members. The warning that Russia will target military structures in countries providing weapons is a serious threat that could easily lead to a wider conflict.
**Host:** What about Russia’s claim of testing a new missile in response to Ukrainian attacks?
**Dr. Petrova:** The claimed testing of a new intermediate-range missile is another worrying development. While there are doubts about the specific type of missile used, the fact that Russia is willing to test and potentially deploy new weapons systems in this conflict raises concerns about the potential for even more devastating attacks.
**Host:** Where do you see this conflict heading?
**Dr. Petrov:** It is difficult to predict the future with certainty, but the situation is increasingly dangerous.
Diplomacy and de-escalation efforts are crucial at this stage to prevent a full-blown international conflict. However, with both sides digging in and the rhetoric becoming more aggressive, the path to a peaceful resolution seems increasingly challenging. It’s a situation that warrants the world’s closest attention. **[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Putin)**
