Russia strikes Ukraine with medium-range missile

Russian President Putin made statements regarding a "hypersonic missile." Putin said, "Russia struck Ukraine with a medium-range missile. If the West escalates the tension, we will continue to respond. The US is responsible for the tension, and the conflict has taken on global characteristics."

"THE CONFLICT HAS TAKEN ON A GLOBAL CHARACTER"

Following Russia's ballistic missile attack on Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation. Putin stated, "The US and its NATO allies, who continue to escalate the conflict they provoked in Ukraine, had previously announced that they authorized the use of long-range strategic weapon systems on the territory of the Russian Federation. As we have emphasized before, the conflict in Ukraine, which began with Western provocations, has taken on a global character."

Stating that Ukraine carried out attacks on Russia's Kursk and Bryansk regions with 6 ATACMS missiles on November 19 and Storm Shadow missiles on November 21, Putin said, "The attacks carried out by the enemy did not reach their targets." Emphasizing that Ukraine's attacks on Russian territory with US and British missiles would not reach their targets, Putin said, "The use of long-range weapons on Russian territory is not possible without the experts from the countries where these weapons are produced. This is a known fact."

"THE TARGET WAS SUCCESSFULLY HIT"

Stating that they responded with Oreshnik missiles after Ukraine carried out attacks on Russian territory with Western-made missiles, Putin said, "Russia carried out an attack on the Southern Machine-Building Plant (Yuzhmash) with a non-nuclear hypersonic-equipped ballistic missile, and the target was successfully hit. The use of the Oreshnik missile is a response to the US plans to produce and deploy medium- and short-range missiles."

Speaking highly of Russian missile systems, Putin said, "There is currently no way to counter Russian Oreshnik missiles. Modern air defense systems cannot intercept Oreshnik missiles; these missiles strike their targets at a speed of Mach 10, which means 2.5 to 3 kilometers per second."

"WE BELIEVE THE US MADE A MISTAKE"

Referring to US President Joe Biden's authorization for Ukraine to use US-made weapons in attacks on Russian territory, Putin said, "The US is pushing the whole world toward a global conflict. We believe that the US made a mistake in 2019 by unilaterally terminating the treaty on the elimination of medium- and short-range missiles under a forced pretext."

Emphasizing that they would respond in kind if missile attacks on Russian territory continue, Putin said, "In the event of an escalation of aggressive actions, we will also provide a decisive and reciprocal response. I advise the ruling elites of countries that are planning to use their military units against Russia to think about this seriously." Stating that they will continue their operations in Ukraine, Putin said, "Russian military units are successfully advancing along the entire line of conflict, and all tasks within the scope of the Special Military Operation will be fulfilled."