A U.S. official confirmed that Ukrainian authorities were briefed ahead of Russia’s experimental Intermediate-range ballistic missile attack on Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the attack in response to the U.S. and the U.K. approving Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles. The attack targeted the city of Dnipro, but it was later revealed that it was not an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile strike. The missile, dubbed the Oreshnik, flies at MACH 10, making it difficult to intercept with current air defense systems.
Putin may be exaggerating Russia’s capabilities to intimidate the West and Ukraine, according to a U.S. official. While the missile poses a threat, it is likely that Russia only possesses a small number of these experimental weapons. The U.S. has provided Ukraine with additional Patriot and Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles to bolster its air defense systems. Despite the latest missile attack, the official emphasized that Russia’s capability may not be a game-changer in the conflict.
In response to President Biden allowing Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range missiles against Russia, Kyiv launched strikes against a Russian military arsenal. The U.S. satellites were used to hit the target using Army Tactical Missile Systems. Putin claimed that Russia will continue testing missile systems in response to NATO’s actions against Russia and may deploy additional missiles based on U.S. actions. Russia informed the U.S. of the impending attack, but it is unclear if they specified the target city in Ukraine.
The U.S. embassy in Kyiv was closed as a potential significant air attack loomed over the region. Despite the attack on the city of Dnipro, it remains unclear if Putin issued a warning to Ukrainian citizens in the area. The strike primarily targeted the defense industry, but civilian infrastructure was also impacted in the attack. The situation remains tense as Russia continues to test its missile systems in response to NATO’s actions against the country. The U.S. is committed to supporting Ukraine in bolstering its air defense capabilities.
Overall, the missile attack conducted by Russia has raised concerns about the country’s advanced missile capabilities and their potential impact on the conflict with Ukraine. While the U.S. and its allies are working to support Ukraine in defending against such attacks, the situation remains volatile. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has escalated with the use of advanced weaponry on both sides, posing a significant challenge for the international community to address. Efforts are being made to mitigate the impact of these attacks and prevent further escalation of hostilities in the region.
