The Kremlin announced that Russia’s recent hypersonic missile strike on Ukraine was intended as a warning to the West, signaling that Moscow would respond decisively to any “reckless” Western actions supporting Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained that the missile attack, using a newly developed hypersonic ballistic missile called the Oreshnik, was a direct response to Ukraine’s recent strikes on Russian territory using U.S.-made ATACMS and British-made Storm Shadow missiles. The strikes, approved by the U.S., were the first of their kind, and Russia views them as proof of direct U.S. and British involvement in the conflict.
Peskov stressed that the missile strike was meant to show Russia’s military capabilities and make it clear that any continued Western missile supplies to Ukraine would not go unanswered. He also pointed out that Russia’s missile strike targeted a military facility in Dnipro, which houses a major missile and rocket manufacturing plant.
President Vladimir Putin emphasized that the decision to launch the missile came after Ukraine’s attacks with long-range missiles, which he believes escalate the conflict and require Russia to take “appropriate actions.” Despite the heightened tensions, Putin has expressed willingness to engage in dialogue, although Peskov criticized the U.S. for continuing its path of escalation rather than pursuing de-escalation. Moscow had informed the U.S. 30 minutes before the missile launch, though it was not technically obligated to do so.
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