Russia Strikes Ukraine with Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile
In a recent message to the nation, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia has launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile strike on Ukraine. This action, according to Putin, was in response to Ukraine’s use of Western long-range weapons.
Russian Response to Western Long-Range Weapons
The Russian president stated that the decision to strike was prompted by Ukraine’s use of American and British long-range weapons on November 21. The Russian armed forces reportedly targeted a military-industrial complex in Ukraine. This strike also served as a test for Russia’s latest intermediate-range missile systems. Notably, a non-nuclear hypersonic version of a ballistic missile was used in this strike.
Successful Test and Target Strike
Putin confirmed the successful testing of their missile system and the successful hit of their intended target. The target was identified as one of the largest known industrial complexes from the Soviet era, located in Dnipro, Ukraine. Putin justified the attack by claiming Russia’s right to retaliate against countries that use their weapons against Russian facilities.
Russia’s Preparedness for Any Developments
Putin’s statements come in the wake of Ukraine’s recent use of US-made long-range missiles and UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia. The Russian president expressed his country’s readiness for any potential developments, asserting that Russia will always have a response. He further claimed that Western nations are currently incapable of intercepting Russian missiles, such as the newly developed Oreșnik, which was reportedly used in the attack on Dnipro.
US Officials Confirm Russian Missile Launch
Earlier on the same day, unnamed US officials confirmed that Russia had indeed launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile. This contradicts earlier Ukrainian reports suggesting that Russia had used an intercontinental ballistic missile.
