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.”
missile against Ukraine” bad-src=”https://www.iltempo.it/assets/images/placeholder_iltempo.png”/>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.
#Escalation #Mirror #response #conflict #global #Tempo
What are the potential consequences if Russia deploys a new ballistic missile in response to Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied long-range missiles?
## Interview Transcript
**Host:** We’re here with Dr. Maria Petrova, a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Strategic Studies, to discuss the escalating tensions between Russia and the West. Dr. Petrova, President Putin recently announced the deployment of a new ballistic missile in an attack on Ukraine. Can you elaborate on this development and its implications?
**Dr. Petrova:** Indeed, the situation is incredibly concerning. President Putin, in a televised address, declared that Russia had launched a new intermediate-range ballistic missile in response to Ukraine using Western-supplied long-range missiles to strike Russian territories.*[1]* He framed this as a defensive measure, stating that Russia has the right to retaliate against countries that authorize the use of their weapons against Russia.
**Host:** This raises serious questions about the potential for further escalation.
**Dr. Petrova:** Absolutely. Putin’s rhetoric is highly alarming. He’s essentially drawing a red line – warning that further attacks using Western long-range missiles could trigger a decisive Russian response. This implies a potential expansion of the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders.
**Host:** There have been conflicting reports about the nature of the missile itself. Some sources suggest it could be an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
**Dr. Petrova:** Yes, there is considerable uncertainty surrounding the exact type of missile used. While some Ukrainian officials initially claimed it resembled an ICBM, Western sources have subsequently expressed doubts about this assessment. Regardless of its precise classification, the deployment of any long-range missile by Russia significantly raises the stakes of this conflict.
**Host:** What are the potential implications of this development for the international community?
**Dr. Petrova:** The situation demands a carefully calibrated response from the international community. This incident highlights the growing risk of the conflict spilling over into a broader European conflict. Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and find a peaceful resolution are paramount. It is also crucial to ensure clear communication channels remain open between Russia and NATO to avoid unintended escalation.
**Host:** Dr. Petrova, thank you for your insightful analysis. This is indeed a pivotal moment in an already highly volatile situation.
* *[1]* https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/21/world/europe/russia-ballistic-missile-ukraine-war.html
