Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on Thursday that Russia’s military possesses more powerful and longer-range missiles than those supplied to Ukraine by Western countries.
“The new American PrSM system is in no way superior to its Russian counterparts in terms of its characteristics,” Putin said during the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.
He said that Russia is well aware of Ukraine’s arsenal, including the number and location of weapons supplied by the West.
“We know, of course, how many relevant weapons systems our potential opponent has; where exactly they are located; how many weapons have been delivered to Ukraine and how many are planned to be delivered,” he stressed.
“The new American PrSM system is in no way superior to its Russian counterparts in terms of its characteristics.”
The Russian president boasted that no amount of Western military aid to Ukraine would change the outcome of the conflict. “No arms deliveries, even of the most advanced weapons, to Ukraine will change the situation on the battlefield,” he said.
He declared that Russia’s military capabilities now include Kalibr cruise missiles, Kinzhal, and Zircon hypersonic missiles that “have no analogies in the world.”
The production of these advanced missiles is “in full swing” and will be increased further.
Putin’s Threat To The West
In a direct warning to Ukraine and its Western backers, Putin said Russia may launch more strikes using its Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missiles.
The Oreshnik system features dozens of homing warheads that attack targets at Mach-10. That is ten times the speed of sound.
“Their temperature reaches 4,000 degrees. Anything located in the strike center is obliterated into elemental particles, reduced to dust,” Putin said, threatening the West.
“No arms deliveries, even of the most advanced weapons, to Ukraine will change the situation on the battlefield.”
And for those digging bunkers deep in the earth, Oreshnik can destroy highly fortified targets buried deep underground. A massive strike with such missiles would be comparable to a nuclear strike in its force, he told his listeners.
Retaliation For Attacks Underway
Earlier to the President’s speech, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov promised retaliation against Ukraine. “Missile strikes deep inside Russian territory are an escalatory step,” Lavrov proclaimed.
Lavrov’s statement came after Kiev fired US-made ATACMS missiles into Russia’s internationally recognized territory, despite an earlier warning from the Kremlin.
“Those behind attacks on Russian citizens and infrastructure will face a well-deserved punishment,” Lavrov warned. He added that “no escalation coming from the enemy will force us to abandon our goals” in Ukraine.
Reasserting the Kremlin’s hardline position, Lavrov reiterated that Moscow remains committed to neutralizing “threats to Russia’s security,” including Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed it has orders to prepare a response to Ukrainian strikes targeting an air defense battery and an airfield in the Kursk Region. According to the MOD, Kiev used American-made ATACMS missiles during the bombardment on November 23 and November 25.
On November 21, Russia struck a weapons factory in Dnepr with its new Oreshnik ballistic missile. According to Putin, the strike was a response to “aggressive actions of NATO members” who support Ukraine.
Escalating Tensions
The White House confirmed on Monday that it had lifted restrictions on the use of ATACMS by Ukrainian troops. The US previously barred Ukraine from using long-range weapons deep inside Russian territory due to concerns over a possible escalation.
“Missile strikes deep inside Russian territory are an escalatory step.”
It’s curious why the Joe Biden administration, with only six weeks left, is allowing this escalation of the Ukrainian conflict. He may be helping Ukraine attain a superior military position before a likely peace negotiation under the next administration.
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