Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has condemned Russia’s use of an experimental ballistic missile as a “severe escalation” in the ongoing conflict. He has called for strong international condemnation of the attack, while NATO has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of attempting to terrorize civilians and intimidate Ukraine’s allies.
NATO spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah stated that the deployment of the ballistic missile would not change the course of the conflict or deter NATO allies from supporting Ukraine. Zelenskyy, in response to Putin’s address regarding the strike in Dnipro, emphasized that Russia’s actions show a lack of interest in peace and called for increased pressure on Russia to achieve a real peace through strength.
Putin, on the other hand, defended Russia’s actions, stating that they had the right to strike western countries that provided weapons to Ukraine. He also mentioned that the conflict in Ukraine, initially regional, has now taken on global dimensions.
Following the attack, Ukraine’s parliament postponed a scheduled sitting due to security concerns. The new Russian ballistic missile, named Oreshnik, was said to be a response to US plans to produce and deploy intermediate and short-range missiles.
The Pentagon confirmed that the missile was experimental, based on the design of Russia’s longer-range RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. While the missile was fired with a conventional warhead, there is a possibility that it could be modified to carry different types of warheads in the future.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern over Russia’s use of the new ballistic missile, calling it a worrying development. He urged all parties to de-escalate the conflict and protect civilians and critical infrastructure.
Zelenskyy emphasized the need for a strong global response to Putin’s actions, stating that a lack of tough reactions sends a message that such behavior is acceptable. Experts have noted that Russia’s development of new missiles may impact decisions in NATO countries regarding air defense systems and offensive capabilities.
The recent escalation in the conflict comes after Ukraine’s use of US and UK-made missiles to target Russian territories. Both sides are intensifying their military efforts ahead of the upcoming presidential inauguration in the US, with hopes of improving their positions before the new administration takes office.
