These were the key developments on the 1,002nd day of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Here is the situation on Friday, November 22:
Ballistic missile attack
- In a significant escalation of the ongoing 33-month conflict, President Vladimir Putin asserted that Russia launched a hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile targeting the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. This response comes in light of the recent decision by the United States and United Kingdom to permit Ukraine to utilize advanced Western weaponry to strike within Russian borders.
- Putin emphasized that civilians would receive warning prior to any future strikes employing such powerful munitions, stating that the conflict has evolved to encompass “elements of a global character,” signaling a shift in the war’s dynamics.
- Responding to the missile launch, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the act as “a clear and severe escalation” and urged the international community to voice strong condemnation. He expressed disappointment over the current lack of a robust global response to the unfolding situation.
- While Kyiv initially suggested that Russia had deployed an intercontinental ballistic missile—a weapon historically suited for long-range nuclear strikes—US officials and NATO supported Putin’s characterization of the missile as an intermediate-range ballistic missile, clarifying its operational range of 3,000–5,500 km (1,860-3,415 miles).
- An unnamed US official disclosed to Reuters that Russia had notified the United States shortly before executing the missile strike. An additional official indicated that the US had informed Kyiv and its allies to brace for the potential deployment of such weaponry in future engagements.
- Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed that its air defence systems successfully intercepted two British Storm Shadow cruise missiles launched by Ukraine, further escalating tensions. Concurrently, Russia’s ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, warned that Britain “is now directly involved in this war,” underlining the implications of Western military support for Ukraine.
- In response to the establishment of a new US ballistic missile defence base in northern Poland, Russian officials asserted that this would elevate the overall level of nuclear danger in the region. However, Warsaw has countered that such “threats” from Moscow only serve to reinforce the justification for NATO’s enhanced defence measures.
Fighting
- In a notable development on the battlefield, Russia’s Defence Ministry announced that its forces successfully captured the eastern Ukrainian village of Dalne, situated in the contested Donetsk region.
- Ukraine’s General Staff refrained from confirming the fall of Dalne to Russian control but referenced the village as part of seven locations where Russian forces had attempted to breach Ukrainian defences a staggering 26 times in the past 24 hours.
- Due to escalating tensions and “potential security issues,” Ukraine’s parliament has opted to postpone a sitting originally scheduled for Friday, reflecting the heightened sense of uncertainty in governance amid the conflict.
- Recent missile strikes by Russia targeted critical infrastructure, hitting three of five operational thermal power plants managed by Ukrainian energy provider DTEK, leaving one facility still offline. This incident highlights the severe impact of the latest Russian offensive on Ukraine’s national grid and energy resilience.
North Korea
- President Joe Biden has shifted his stance, lifting his previous objections to Ukraine utilizing US-supplied missiles to target locations within Russia, a decision influenced by North Korea’s recent engagement in the conflict, as reported by two sources familiar with the matter.
- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has accused the United States of escalating tensions and provocations, declaring that the Korean Peninsula has never faced such grave risks of nuclear conflict as it does now, according to statements from state media.
- During discussions, the defence ministers of South Korea and Japan strongly condemned North Korea’s deployment of troops to Russia, with Seoul’s Defence Ministry issuing an official statement expressing their concerns about the regional security implications.
Sanctions
- The US government has enacted a fresh round of sanctions targeting Russia, including measures against Gazprombank, as detailed in a notice published on the Department of Treasury’s official website.
- In a collaborative effort, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have submitted a letter to the European Commission advocating for the imposition of customs duties on fertilisers imported from Russia and Belarus, aiming to curb economic ties that may benefit the aggressor nations.
**Interview with Military Analyst Dr. Elena Ivanova on Recent Developments in the Russia-Ukraine War**
**Host:** Welcome, Dr. Ivanova. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the significant escalations in the Russia-Ukraine war, particularly the recent ballistic missile attack. What can you tell us about the implications of President Putin’s recent statements and actions?
**Dr. Ivanova:** Thank you for having me. The recent missile strike on Dnipro marks a serious escalation in the conflict, especially as it comes after the US and UK decided to supply Ukraine with advanced weaponry that could strike deeper into Russian territory. Putin’s assurance that civilians would be warned before strikes with hypersonic missiles is notably chilling—it indicates a shift towards a more aggressive and globalized aspect of this conflict. This revelation could signal not only an increase in military confrontations but also a more complex international dynamic.
**Host:** Zelenskyy has condemned this escalation. How do you assess Ukraine’s response, and what strategies might they adopt moving forward?
**Dr. Ivanova:** President Zelenskyy’s condemnation is crucial. He is attempting to galvanize international opinion and reinforce the importance of a robust global response. Ukraine may focus on securing further international support, including military aid and diplomatic pressure on Russia. Additionally, they could adapt their tactics on the battlefield, emphasizing mobility and fortified defenses, especially in contested regions like Donetsk.
**Host:** In terms of military developments, we know that Russian forces claimed to have captured the village of Dalne. How significant is this in terms of overall strategy?
**Dr. Ivanova:** The capture of Dalne, albeit not confirmed by Ukraine, illustrates the ongoing struggle for territorial control in the Donetsk region. This area has been a focal point of intense military engagement. If Russia consolidates its hold there, it could disrupt Ukrainian supply lines and further the notion of Russian dominance in the region. However, Ukraine’s ability to confirm or counter this claims will be pivotal in maintaining morale and operational integrity.
**Host:** Lastly, there are concerns about the implications of Western military support, particularly from the UK. How does this shift the balance of the conflict?
**Dr. Ivanova:** The involvement of Western military logistics and technology undoubtedly shifts the dynamics of this conflict. Russia’s warnings that the UK is now “directly involved” highlight the increasingly global stakes of this war. Such statements could be a tactic to intimidate Western nations against supporting Ukraine further. However, this could also strengthen the resolve of NATO allies to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities, making the overall situation even more precarious and interconnected on a geopolitical level.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Ivanova. Your insights on these complex issues are invaluable as the situation continues to develop.
**Dr. Ivanova:** Thank you for having me. It’s vital that we continue to monitor these events closely.
