Putin escalates threat to Kyiv with hypersonic missile plans
Russian leader Vladimir Putin announced additional attacks on Ukraine on Thursday, utilizing the latest Russian hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile systems. He also stated that he would not permit Ukraine to obtain nuclear weapons. He warned that otherwise, he would use "all means of destruction."
The speech by Russian leader Vladimir Putin at the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit in Astana on Thursday hinted at further assaults on Ukrainian cities. "At present, the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff are selecting targets to hit on Ukrainian territory," Putin announced.
"These could be military facilities, defence and industrial enterprises, or decision-making centres in Kyiv," declared the leader. He also mentioned that the serial production of the Oreshnik missile system has already commenced; however, the army will use various types of weapons and ammunition.
Putin announces new attacks on Kyiv; Oresznik systems are already in production
"But at the end of the day, it will be up to us to choose the means of destruction considering the nature of the targets that were selected to be wiped out and the threats posed to the Russian Federation," noted Putin.
He also emphasized that Moscow will respond to any attacks on Russian territory using Western long-range missiles. Therefore, further tests of Oreshnik in combat conditions are possible, "as was done on November 21," he announced.
He noted that the United States and its NATO allies announced on November 21 their decision to grant Kyiv permission to use precision long-range weapons. Subsequently, as he pointed out, missiles produced in the USA and the United Kingdom attacked Russian military facilities in the Kursk and Bryansk regions.
Russia's response, as Putin explained, was the testing of the latest hypersonic medium-range ballistic missiles Oreshnik with conventional warheads. This military potential targeted the large Ukrainian defence enterprise Yuzhmash in Dnipro.
The Russian leader emphasized that provocative actions by the West could have serious consequences if the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate. "Strikes on Russian territory, including those using Western weapons, will not go unanswered," stated the leader.
"As I have repeatedly said, we will always respond," he emphasized.
He also stressed that the transfer of nuclear weapons to Ukraine by anyone would violate non-proliferation commitments, which aim at preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
