Dnipro:
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed on Thursday that the conflict in Ukraine had elements of a “global” war and hinted at the possibility of strikes on Western nations.
The day was filled with tension as Russia test-fired a new generation intermediate-range missile at Ukraine, with Putin suggesting it could carry a nuclear payload.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the strike as a significant escalation in the “scale and brutality” of the war by a “crazy neighbor,” while the United States, a key supporter of Kyiv, blamed Russia for escalating the conflict continuously.
Intermediate-range missiles, which can reach up to 5,500 kilometers (3,400 miles), were mentioned by Putin as a means to strike the West.
In a defiant speech to his nation, Putin condemned Ukraine’s allies for allowing Kyiv to use Western-supplied weapons to target Russian facilities, warning of retaliation.
Recent events have seen Ukraine firing US and UK-supplied missiles at Russian territory for the first time, heightening tensions in the long-standing conflict.
“We believe we have the right to use our weapons against countries that permit their weapons to be used against us,” Putin asserted.
He mentioned that Russia informed Washington of the missile launch through a nuclear de-escalation hotline, emphasizing that Russia is trying to avoid a nuclear conflict.
The deployment of a new missile system by Russia was met with concern globally, with many warning that the situation was escalating in the wrong direction.
The attack on Dnipro followed the temporary closure of several foreign embassies in Kyiv due to the threat of a large-scale strike.
As tensions continue to rise, both Russia and Ukraine have increased their use of long-range missiles, with reports of UK-supplied missiles being launched at Russian targets.
The missile escalation coincides with a critical moment for Ukraine on the ground, as Russian forces claim further advances in different regions.
The situation remains volatile as both sides navigate through the complexities of the conflict.
