In a confrontational televised address on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin fiercely defended his decision to launch an experimental hypersonic missile strike against Ukraine earlier in the day. The Russian leader accused NATO of “aggressive actions” against his country and issued a stern warning to Western nations providing long-range weapons to Kyiv, asserting that Moscow had the right to retaliate against countries supporting Ukraine militarily.
The White House swiftly condemned Putin’s remarks, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stating that Russia was to blame for “escalating at every turn” in the ongoing conflict that has now surpassed 1,000 days. Jean-Pierre emphasized that the United States had previously cautioned Moscow against involving other countries in the war effort, a reference to reports of North Korea sending troops to bolster Russian forces.
Missile Strike Sparks International Concern
The controversial missile strike that Putin addressed in his speech occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning, targeting enterprises and critical infrastructure in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro. According to Ukrainian officials, Russia launched nine projectiles from the Astrakhan region between 5 am and 7 am local time, with six of them intercepted by air defenses.
Initial unconfirmed reports suggested that Russia had employed an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in the attack, a weapon designed for long-distance nuclear strikes and never before used in war. However, U.S. officials later clarified that it was likely an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) with a smaller range of 3,000-5,500 kilometers.
Putin Justifies Strike as Response to NATO Aggression
In his address, Putin framed the missile strike as a justified response to what he perceived as NATO’s hostile actions against Russia. He specifically referenced Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory earlier in the week using U.S. and British-supplied weapons.
We consider ourselves justified in using our weapons against military targets in those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities. In the event of an escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond decisively and accordingly.
– Vladimir Putin
The Russian president revealed that the missile used in the attack was the Oreshnik, a new hypersonic medium-range ballistic system. He claimed that the tests were successful and that the intended target had been struck “as intended.”
U.S. Notified Before Strike, Maintains Nuclear Posture
According to a U.S. official, Russia notified the United States shortly before launching the missile strike through nuclear risk reduction channels. The Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, told Russia’s state-owned Tass news agency that Moscow had informed Washington about the impending launch 30 minutes prior.
Despite the escalating tensions, the White House maintained that it saw no reason to modify its nuclear posture or doctrine in response to Russia’s actions and statements. Press Secretary Jean-Pierre labeled Moscow’s rhetoric as “irresponsible” and reiterated that the U.S. had not observed any indications of Russia preparing to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
We have not seen any reason to adjust our own nuclear posture or doctrine in response to Russia’s statements. This is more of their irresponsible [talk] from Russia that we have seen these past two years. This is a war they can end, they can end it today.
– Karine Jean-Pierre
Implications for the Ongoing Conflict
The missile strike and Putin’s subsequent justification are likely to further strain the already tense relations between Russia and the West. As the conflict in Ukraine drags on, the risk of escalation remains high, with both sides accusing the other of aggression and provocative actions.
For Ukraine, the attack underscores the urgent need for continued military support from its Western allies. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for more advanced weapons systems to counter Russian aggression and protect Ukrainian civilians caught in the crosshairs of the war.
The international community will be closely monitoring the situation in the coming days, with many hoping for a de-escalation of tensions and a return to diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. However, with both sides firmly entrenched in their positions and the stakes higher than ever, the path to peace remains uncertain.
As the world watches anxiously, the fallout from Putin’s defiant missile strike and accusatory speech against NATO aggression continues to unfold. The repercussions of this latest escalation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict are sure to reverberate across the global stage, shaping the course of the war and the future of international relations for years to come.
