Allowing Ukraine to conduct long-range missile strikes using Western-supplied precision weapons constitutes direct Western involvement in the conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated, as the war between Moscow and Kiev escalates.

Speaking at a Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) council session, Putin highlighted that such operations would require the direct involvement of NATO military personnel and specialists, making Western nations active participants in the war.

He also noted Russia’s awareness of the quantity and planned deliveries of Western arms to Ukraine and mentioned that he would brief CSTO members on the current developments in Ukraine.

As the West races to supply Ukraine with weapons and military aid to launch heavy attacks deep into Russian territory, Putin reaffirmed that even the most sophisticated and modern weapons would not shift the power dynamic on the battlefield. 

"No supply of even the most modern weapons to the Ukrainian territory will change the situation on the battlefield," he said during the session. 

Russia strikes 17 Ukrainian military targets

President Putin also stated that the Russian X-101 missile is comparable to the Storm Shadow, SCALP, and Taurus missiles in warhead power but significantly surpasses them in range. He noted that while the European-made missiles have a warhead capacity of about 450-480 kilograms and a range of 500-650 kilometers, the X-101 offers a substantially greater range.

Additionally, Putin compared Russia's Iskander missile system to the American ATACMS systems, highlighting that while their explosive power is similar, the Iskander has a longer range. He concluded by mentioning the potential development of additional advanced weapons in the near future.

In a related context, Russia targeted Ukrainian military facilities using 100 missiles and 466 attack drones in response to ongoing strikes on its territory, according to Putin.

The president noted that a comprehensive strike conducted on Wednesday involved 90 missiles and 100 drones, successfully hitting 17 military, defense, and industrial targets.

Putin warned that strikes on Russian territory using ATACMS missiles would not go unanswered, emphasizing that Russia would respond to attacks conducted with Western-supplied long-range weapons, potentially continuing combat tests of systems like Oreshnik.

Oreshnik is Russia's newest hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), which Putin unveiled Thursday. Russia targeted the Yuzhmash complex in Dnipro, Ukraine, which manufactures missile technology, with a successful Oreshnik strike.

Russia already possesses a stockpile of Oreshnik missile systems and has decided to mass produce them, Putin divulged.