Putin: Russia will not retreat from its attacks on Western countries

 Putin: Russia will not retreat from its attacks on Western countries

The situation in the Ukraine war is becoming increasingly complex as time goes on. While the conflict remains primarily between Ukraine and Russia, numerous countries are indirectly involved, adding layers to the tension. In this context, Russian President Vladimir Putin has framed the war as one with "global" implications, warning that Russia will not hesitate to attack Western countries if necessary.

The latest escalation occurred when Ukraine launched long-range missiles, provided by Western nations, to strike Russian territory last Tuesday and Wednesday. In retaliation, Russia targeted Ukraine's Dnipro region with a new type of missile on Thursday. Initially suspected to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Russian authorities later identified it as a new-generation hypersonic missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads similar to ICBMs, according to Putin.

Putin has repeatedly warned that any attack on Russian soil will have serious consequences. He stressed that if the United States continues to escalate tensions without heeding his warnings, a direct attack on the West could not be ruled out.

Ukraine has been heavily supported by military aid from its Western allies throughout the more than 33-month-long conflict. Putin claimed that missiles supplied by the United States and the United Kingdom were intercepted by Russian air defense systems before reaching their targets. He further stated that the objectives of the West’s attacks had failed. Putin also suggested that Russia might target the military installations of countries that have supplied weapons to Ukraine for use against Russia.

According to Putin, the missile launched on Thursday was named "Orationik," an intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile. However, the United States and NATO described it as an intermediate-range ballistic missile, capable of hitting targets up to 5,500 kilometers away.

NATO Will Stand Firm in Support of Kyiv

Kyiv's allies are still reeling from Russia's missile strike on the city of Dnipro on Thursday, which has drawn strong condemnation from both the European Union and the United Kingdom. Now, NATO is set to hold talks with Ukraine regarding the attack, with a meeting scheduled for next Tuesday in Brussels, the capital of Belgium.

A NATO spokesperson downplayed the significance of the Russian missile strike, stating, "The use of such weapons will not change the course of the war. NATO’s support for Ukraine will remain unwavering."

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, following approval from the United Kingdom, reports emerged in the British press that Ukraine had used the long-range Storm Shadow missile—produced by the UK—in its strike against Russian targets. In response, Russia’s ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, told Sky News that the UK was now "directly involved" in the war in Ukraine.

Russia Expands Occupation in Eastern Ukraine

Russia has intensified its missile and drone strikes across Ukraine in recent weeks, likely in preparation for the upcoming winter season. Meanwhile, Russian forces are making significant strides in eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Donetsk region, where several villages have been captured. On Thursday, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that they had recaptured the key village of Dalne in Donetsk.

Ukraine, however, has not confirmed the occupation of Dalne, and its military reported on Thursday that Russia had attempted to break through Ukrainian defenses in seven villages over the past 24 hours. Russian forces reportedly made 26 separate attempts to seize control of these areas, and fighting continues in multiple locations within these villages.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the initial objective was the rapid capture of Kyiv. However, after failing to take the capital, Russian forces shifted their focus to the eastern Donbas region, which includes the Donetsk and Luhansk areas. Over the past two months, Russian troops have made significant territorial gains, and it is now estimated that Russia controls around 20% of Ukrainian territory, including much of Donbas.

On Friday, Russian forces also carried out a drone strike in the city of Sumy, further advancing their push in eastern Ukraine. Regional authorities reported that several buildings and three cars were damaged in the attack, which occurred around 5 a.m. Two people were killed, and 12 others were injured in the strike.

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