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 the potential military implications of Russia using this new missile against Ukraine?
## Interview with Dr. Emily Carter, Russia Analyst
**Interviewer:** Dr. Carter, thank you for joining us. Russia launched a new missile into Ukraine this week. What can you tell us about this development?
**Dr. Carter:** This is a significant escalation in the conflict. President Putin announced the launch of a new medium-range, non-nuclear ballistic missile in a televised address, stating it was in response to Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied long-range missiles to target Russian territory [ [1](https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/21/europe/ukraine-russia-missile-wwk-intl/index.html) ].
**Interviewer:** The reports are conflicting about the type of missile fired. While some, including Ukrainian President Zelensky, initially suggested it could be an intercontinental ballistic missile, Western officials are less certain. What is your assessment?
**Dr. Carter:** It’s still early to definitively classify the missile. While it’s certainly potent, it’s important to note that initial reports can be inaccurate in the fog of war.
A Western official casting doubt on it being an ICBM suggests that it could be a plausibly deniable escalation tactic by Russia [ [1](https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/21/europe/ukraine-russia-missile-wwk-intl/index.html) ]. This allows them to show force and demonstrate a potential capability while avoiding immediate escalation to a level likely to draw direct NATO involvement.
**Interviewer:** Putin warned that Russia would consider targeting countries that authorize Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russia. This sounds quite threatening.
**Dr. Carter:** It is hugely concerning. This language greatly raises the stakes, clearly signaling Russia’s willingness to expand the conflict geographically if it perceives its interests are threatened. It’s a risky move, potentially provoking NATO involvement while simultaneously portraying Russia as the victim defending itself.
**Interviewer:** What are the implications of this development for the future of the conflict?
**Dr. Carter:** The use of this new missile and the harsh rhetoric surrounding it mark a dangerous escalation. The conflict has entered a new, more unpredictable phase. Continued escalation could lead to a wider war, which is a terrifying prospect for everyone involved. [ [1](https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/21/europe/ukraine-russia-missile-wwk-intl/index.html) ].
We need to watch very closely how the situation develops in the coming days and weeks.
