In a stark warning on Thursday, President Vladimir Putin stated that the conflict in Ukraine is evolving into a global confrontation after Ukraine used Western-made missiles against Russia. These missiles, including the U.S.-made ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles, were launched after approval from the U.S. and the U.K. The escalation prompted Russia to respond by deploying a new hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile against a Ukrainian military facility in Dnipro, with more strikes expected if tensions continue to rise.
Putin claimed that the Ukrainian missile attacks—particularly the ones on November 19 and 21—failed to cause significant damage, but the Storm Shadow missile attack on Kursk was deadly, resulting in casualties. He emphasized that the use of such advanced weaponry by Ukraine, backed by Western support, was pushing the conflict from a regional dispute to something with broader global implications.
In his address, Putin specifically warned that Russia would respond “decisively” and in a “mirror manner” if the West continued to escalate the situation. He reiterated that Russia had the right to use its own weapons against countries that allowed their military assets to be used against Russian facilities. He also criticized the U.S. for withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 2019, which had previously prevented the deployment of certain missile types in Europe. Putin stated that the U.S. decision had destabilized international security and provoked the current missile development by Russia.
Putin’s remarks are indicative of growing tensions between Russia and the West, with Putin accusing the United States of pushing the world toward a larger-scale war. Russia’s military advances in Ukraine have already taken control of a significant portion of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea and parts of Donbas, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. While Ukraine and its Western allies describe the Russian invasion as an imperialistic land grab, Russia views its actions as a response to what it sees as NATO’s expansion and influence in the region.
As the situation unfolds, Putin has warned of further military actions if Western nations continue to aid Ukraine. Russia’s defense capabilities are being bolstered with new missile systems in response to the perceived threat from the U.S. and NATO. The rhetoric from both sides has raised concerns over the potential for the conflict to spiral into a wider war involving multiple countries.
ARY NEWS, SAMAA NEWS, DAWN NEWS
