Russia will respond in mirror-like fashion if Ukraine escalates: Putin
5 Min Read
The Russian President vows that Russia will respond strongly and in a mirror-like fashion if Ukraine's aggressive escalation continues.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with New People's Party leader Alexey Nechaev in Russia, on November 19, 2024. (AP)
The war in Ukraine "previously provoked by the West, has acquired elements of a global nature," Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.
However, he asserted that Russia will allow inhabitants in Ukraine and nationals of other friendly countries the opportunity to flee potential disaster zones ahead of time.
Putin explained that in the case where systems such as Oreshnik are used in Ukraine, "we will offer civilians in advance, as well as ask citizens of friendly states located there to leave dangerous zones. We will do this for humanitarian reasons — openly, publicly, without fear of opposition from the enemy."
The Russian President explained the "events that are taking place today in the NWO zone, namely after the use of Western-made long-range weapons on our territory," as he addressed the country's military, citizens, and "those who continue to harbor illusions about the possibility of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia."
Russia will respond strongly and in a mirror-like fashion if Ukraine's aggressive escalation continues, Putin vowed. He warned the nations that are "hatching plans to use their military contingents against Russia" to also deeply consider his threat.
He expressed that the United States made a mistake when it destroyed the pact on the elimination of intermediate- and shorter-range missiles (INF treaty) in 2019, under what he called "a far-fetched pretext," accusing of leading the world toward global conflict and holding it responsible for the destruction of the international security system.
"The issue of further deployment of medium-range and shorter-range missiles will be decided by us depending on the actions of the United States and its satellites. The targets for destruction during further tests of our newest missile systems will be determined by us based on threats to the security of the Russian Federation," he said.
He detailed how Russian troops are "successfully advancing along the entire line of the battle contact. All tasks that we set for ourselves will be accomplished."
ATACMS, Storm Shadow Missiles hit targets in Kursk, Bryansk
Putin revealed that Ukraine launched six US-made ATACMS ballistic missiles and, two days later, utilized UK-made long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike targets in Russia's Kursk and Bryansk areas,
"On November 19, six US-made ATACMS tactical missiles were launched, and on November 21, a combined missile attack was carried out using UK-made Storm Shadow systems and US-made HIMARS, targeting military facilities in Russia: in the Bryansk and Kursk regions."
Long-range weapons cannot be used on Russian territory without the "direct participation of military specialists from countries producing such weapons," the Russian President said.
He highlighted the successful test launch of the Oreshnik missile, which can reach speeds of Mach 10 and evade current missile defense systems, citing how there are currently "no means of countering such weapons. Missiles attack targets at a speed of Mach 10, which is 2.5-3 kilometers per second. Modern air defense systems available in the world and missile defense systems created by the US in Europe do not intercept such missiles."
"This is out of the question," he asserted.
Russia always ready to resolve issues peacefully
Putin reaffirmed that Ukraine's use of long-range weapons would not change the course of the war.
He revealed that Russia targeted the Yuzhmash complex in Dnipro, Ukraine, which manufactures missile technology, with a successful strike using the Oreshnik missile.
Oreshnikis Russia's newest hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), which Putin unveiled today.
He disclosed that the hit on Ukraine's Yuzhmash complex was carried out by a ballistic missile in a nuclear-free hypersonic mode and conducted in "combat conditions", explaining that "our missile engineers named it Oreshnik."
"The targets for striking during further tests of our newest missile systems will be determined by us based on the threats to the security of the Russian Federation."
Putin emphasized Russia's readiness for peaceful resolutions but warned that any escalation would be met with a decisive response. "There will always be an answer," he declared, adding that Russia reserves the right to target military facilities of countries using weapons against it.
"We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against the military facilities of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities. We will respond decisively and proportionally in the event of an escalation of aggressive actions," Putin said.
"We have always preferred and are now ready to resolve all disputed issues by peaceful means. But we are also ready for any development of events. If anyone else doubts this, they really should not. There will always be an answer," he warned.
