The Russian leader said in a state-TV address that his government was conducting “combat tests” of a new missile system using American and British missiles following the attack on Ukraine earlier this week.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned Russia’s test of a new intermediate-range missile in an attack on Ukraine, which he called “aggressive actions by NATO countries.”
Thursday’s attack on Dnipro by a new Oleshnik missile left at least two people injured and damaged an industrial facility and a rehabilitation center for the disabled.
Putin said Russia was conducting “combat tests” of a new missile system using American and British missiles in response to the attack on Ukraine earlier this week.
“The targets of destruction in further tests of our advanced missile systems will be determined by our country based on the threat to the security of the Russian Federation. “We believe that we have the right to use our weapons against our facilities,” Putin said in a nationally televised address.
“And in the event of an escalation of aggressive action, we will respond equally firmly and kindly. I encourage you to think about it seriously.”
Ukraine’s air force initially claimed Russia had launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), but U.S. and British intelligence sources later downgraded the claim to an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).
The Ukrainian Air Force said in a statement that the attack on Dnipro was launched from Russia’s Astrakhan region on the Caspian Sea.
In a video address tonight, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia’s use of the Oreshnik, saying Putin was using Ukraine as a “training ground.”
“Today our crazy neighbors showed once again who they really are and how much they despise and fear dignity, freedom and human life in general,” he said. .
“He is so afraid that he is already using new missiles and is scouring the world for weapons, sometimes in Iran, sometimes in North Korea.”
Defense Department deputy spokeswoman Sabrina Singh confirmed that the Russian missile is a new experimental medium-range missile based on the RS-26 Lubezh intercontinental ballistic missile.
“This is a new lethal capability deployed on the battlefield, and it was certainly a cause for concern,” Singh said, noting that the missile could have a conventional or nuclear warhead.
He said the US was informed prior to the launch through nuclear risk mitigation channels.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Kiev had already taken a number of political and diplomatic measures in response to the missile test.
“I think today’s provocation by the Moscow regime proves once again that peacekeeping policy has never worked and is not working now. All these calls, all these visits, peacekeeping “Demands only stimulate the desire to invade and encourage the people. “Peace through force is necessary for the invaders to expand the war and increase the stakes,” Heorghi Tyky said.
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Intensifying tension
The Russian attack comes during a week of heightened tensions as the United States eased restrictions on Ukraine’s use of American-made long-range missiles inside Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered standards for the use of nuclear weapons. Ta.
Earlier this week, US President Joe Biden gave Ukraine permission to use long-range missiles supplied by the US to attack military targets deep in Russia.
The move prompted an angry response from Moscow, with President Putin previously warning that Russia would go into a “state of war” with NATO if Western allies allowed Ukraine to use weapons on Russian territory.
Ukraine fired several Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) at Russia on Tuesday, the Kremlin said.
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The next day, Ukraine used up to 12 Anglo-French Storm Shadow missiles in an attack on Russia’s Kursk region.
Also this week, President Putin signed new principles allowing a country backed by a nuclear-armed state to respond nuclearly to a conventional attack on Russia.
U.S. officials said the Biden administration’s police changes were a response to Russia sending in thousands of troops from North Korea to support Russian troops in the conflict.
