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The airstrikes followed Ukraine’s use of US- and UK-made missiles this week to target military targets deep inside Russian territory.
The Yaris intercontinental ballistic missile was test-fired in 2022 in Pulitsak, Russia. Photo/File (AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia launched a “hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile” from its southern Astrakhan region in a retaliatory attack on Ukraine.
The airstrikes came as Ukraine this week used US- and UK-made missiles to hit military targets deep inside Russian territory, adding to a conflict that has already raged for 1,000 days. .
In a televised address to the nation, Putin said that Russia “tested a modern Russian medium-range missile system under combat conditions… Our engineers named it Orshank (meaning hazel in Russian). tree) is kept.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of apparently using intercontinental ballistic missiles. However, a US official rejected Ukraine’s claim that it was a ballistic missile but not an intercontinental ballistic missile. CBS News Reported
Russia attacked the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro early Thursday with a barrage of missiles. Putin said in his address that Russia launched a joint attack on a defense industry target in Ukraine.
He described the Orshank as a “ballistic missile” that in this case was deployed “in a non-nuclear hypersonic configuration”, saying the “test” was successful and hit its target.
Putin said air defenses could not stop the Orshank, which attacks at Mach 10, or 2.5-3 kilometers per second.
Modern air defense systems cannot intercept such missiles. It is impossible,” he said.
“To this day there is no means of countering such weapons,” the president boasted.
He said that Russia is testing Orshnik in combat conditions “in response to aggressive actions by NATO countries against Russia.”
Also read: What is an ICBM?
In a video on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the Russian missile’s speed and altitude indicate intercontinental ballistic capabilities.
“It is clear that Putin is using Ukraine as a testing ground. It is also clear that he is afraid of a normal life next to him. A life where people live with dignity. A country that is free. wants to be and has the right to be independent,” he said.
Today, our crazy neighbor has revealed his true self once again – his hatred of honor, freedom, and human life itself. And, above all, his fear. The fear is so overwhelming that it launches missile after missile, beckoning the world for more weapons, whether from Iran or North… pic.twitter.com/tEsZ0Uu1bt
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Volodymyr Zelensky (@ZelenskyyUa) November 21, 2024
‘Shadow of the Storm’ in Ukraine
Within a day of launching US developed Long-range missilesUkraine fired British “Storm Shadow” missiles at military targets in Russia, which Moscow has warned for months, would be seen as a major escalation.
The missile strikes targeted military installations in Russia’s Kursk region, while others were intercepted in the Black Sea port city of Yesk, military-linked Russian channels reported.
Residents claimed they heard missiles fired over the Kursk region, which borders Ukraine. According to local media reports, they heard at least 14 large explosions and saw black smoke rising in the distance.
Earlier, Ukraine used US-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to target Russian targets, after the alleged approval of US President Joe Biden, who restricted Kiev to firing missiles in and around the Kursk region. was instructed to use.
It comes as Russia’s war in Ukraine has crossed 1,000 days and is currently at a volatile juncture, with military offensives escalating and the geopolitical situation unfolding. Speculation about future aid to Ukraine is growing as US President-elect Donald Trump replaces Biden in the White House in January.
