Russian President Vladimir Putin announced today that Russia launched a medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile targeting a Ukrainian military facility. He warned Western nations that Moscow is prepared to strike military facilities in any country providing weapons used against Russia.
Putin accused the West of intensifying the conflict in Ukraine by supplying Kyiv with long-range missiles, claiming that these actions risk escalating the war into a global conflict.
Hypersonic Missile Test in Combat
Putin revealed that Russia conducted combat tests of its new hypersonic missile system, “Oreshnik,” in response to what he described as NATO’s aggressive actions.
“In response to the use of U.S. and British long-range weapons, on November 21, the Russian armed forces carried out a coordinated strike on a Ukrainian military-industrial facility,” Putin stated.
He further clarified that the operation included testing Russia’s latest medium-range missile system in real-world combat scenarios. “This included a nuclear-free hypersonic ballistic missile,” Putin added.
U.S. Informed Before the Strike
The United States confirmed that Moscow had notified Washington of the missile test in advance through established channels aimed at reducing nuclear risk.
A U.S. official disclosed that Russia’s experimental strike occurred in Dnipro, Ukraine, and noted that the U.S. had alerted Kyiv and its allies to prepare for the possible use of the missile.
Limited Arsenal of Experimental Missiles
According to Reuters, the U.S. official indicated that Moscow likely possesses only a limited number of these experimental missiles. Despite this, the deployment marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict, raising concerns over the potential use of advanced weaponry.
This latest move underscores the heightened tensions between Russia and the West, with Putin reiterating Russia’s readiness to escalate its military response if provoked further.
Source: ANA-MPA
