President Vladimir Putin announced on Sunday that Russia’s defense ministry is exploring various responses if the United States and NATO allies assist Ukraine in launching long-range strikes deep into Russian territory with Western missiles. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has led to heightened tensions between Russia and the West, marking a significant confrontation reminiscent of the Cold War era.
Russian officials have warned that allowing Ukraine to attack deep into Russia with Western-supplied missiles would be viewed as a serious escalation. Putin stated that such an action would involve direct participation from NATO and European nations, as their military infrastructure and personnel would be essential for targeting and deploying the missiles.
While Putin indicated it is premature to detail Russia’s exact response, he confirmed that various options are being considered by the defense ministry. “The Russian defense ministry is thinking about how to respond to the possible long-range strikes on Russian territory, it will offer a range of responses,” he told Pavel Zarubin, a prominent reporter for Russian state TV.
As Russia makes significant advances in eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy continues to urge Western allies to permit Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory using advanced Western missiles. Despite the ongoing discussions, U.S. officials have not publicly committed to allowing such strikes, expressing skepticism about their potential impact on the war’s outcome.
Ukrainian forces have been utilizing long-range drones to target areas within Russia, suggesting a capacity for strikes despite the lack of formal approval for missile attacks. Recent reports indicate that Russian forces have gained control of the coal mining town of Selydove in Ukraine’s Donetsk region.
Putin frames the conflict as a struggle between Russia and a declining West that has disregarded Russian interests since the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991. Ukraine and its allies assert that Russia’s actions represent an imperialist aggression that could embolden authoritarian regimes globally if left unchecked.
In light of recent developments and discussions surrounding missile strikes, Putin has altered Russia’s nuclear doctrine, signaling heightened concern regarding Western involvement in Ukraine. When asked if the West has heeded Russia’s warnings, he expressed hope that they have, noting that Russia must also make decisions regarding its own defense.
Putin emphasized that only NATO officers would be able to use the missiles against Russia, relying on Western satellite data for targeting. He raised the critical question of whether NATO would proceed with such strikes. US officials reiterated that their goal is not to escalate the conflict further, and the approach of the next US administration toward the war remains uncertain, with differing views among potential candidates.
