Moscow reports that Ukrainian forces launched on Wednesday six US-made ATACMS missiles and four British-made Storm Shadow missiles targeted at Russia’s southern region of Rostov; all the US-made missiles and three out of the four British ones were allegedly intercepted by the Russian armed forces.
Russia threatened to retaliate against the strikes. The Kremlin has repeatedly said that any use of Western-supplied missiles by Ukraine, permitted by the United States and Britain, makes those two countries direct participants in the ongoing conflict.
As tensions continue to rise, Russia launched its new hypersonic missile, the Oreshnik, targeting Ukraine’s Dnipro November 21. President Vladimir Putin warned that Russia stands ready to deploy more of these Oreshnik missiles, including potential strikes on Kyiv’s “decision-making centers,” if Ukraine proceeds to use Western arms for attacks on Russian territory.
While hailing Oreshnik as the most impregnable weapon, Putin recommended a “high-tech duel” where Russia will throw the hypersonic missiles towards Kyiv while Ukraine would try to deflect it through Western defense systems.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy scoffed at Putin’s comment while addressing the press saying, “Do you think he is a sane person?”
The ongoing missile exchanges and rhetoric signal a significant intensification in the conflict, raising concerns over broader international involvement.
