Moscow (TDI): Russian President Vladimir Putin has addressed in a statement the ongoing escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, which he attributed to Western interference, particularly the United States and its NATO allies.
He highlighted recent developments following attacks on Russian territory, which he stated had been carried out using long-range Western weaponry.
Putin began by notifying the Russian Armed Forces, the citizens of Russia, and international audiences about the heightened military actions taking place.
He specifically referred to the November 19 and 21 missile strikes targeting Russian military sites in Bryansk and Kursk, reportedly launched using US-made ATACMS tactical missiles and British Storm Shadow missiles, alongside HIMARS systems.
These strikes, Putin claimed, demonstrated how the regional conflict in Ukraine had taken on global implications due to the involvement of Western powers.
Despite the ongoing missile assaults, Putin emphasized that such attacks would not alter the course of the military operation in Ukraine.
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He reaffirmed that the Russian response would be measured but resolute, with Russia’s military forces retaliating by launching a combined strike on a Ukrainian defense industrial facility on November 21.
The strike targeted one of Ukraine’s largest industrial complexes in Dnepropetrovsk, which continues to produce weapons, including missiles.
Russia’s New Missile System
Further details were shared regarding Russia’s testing of a new medium-range missile system, dubbed Oreshnik.
According to Putin, the missile system, which includes a non-nuclear hypersonic ballistic missile, successfully achieved its intended objective during the field test.
This, he stated, was a direct response to NATO’s growing military involvement.
Putin also underscored Russia’s stance on arms control, reminding that Russia had voluntarily committed not to deploy intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles unless the US introduced similar weapons in any part of the world.
He clarified that Russia reserves the right to use its military capabilities against any nation that allows its weapons to be used against Russian targets, warning that any further escalation would be met with a “mirror-like” response.
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In an attempt to mitigate civilian casualties, Putin indicated that in the event of further missile strikes in Ukraine, Russia would issue advance warnings to citizens of friendly nations residing in the targeted zones, urging them to evacuate for humanitarian reasons.
Highlighting Russia’s missile defense capabilities, Putin claimed that no existing air defense systems or missile defense systems under development by the US in Europe could intercept Russia’s Oreshnik missiles.
In a final remark, Putin reiterated his stance that it was not Russia but the United States that had undermined international security.
He accused the US of clinging to global hegemony, thereby exacerbating the conflict and pushing the world toward a broader global confrontation.
While reiterating Russia’s preference for resolving disputes peacefully, Putin concluded by stating that the country would always be prepared for any eventuality, making it clear that any aggression would prompt a forceful and immediate response.
