Putin's New Missile Strike Escalates Tensions in Ukraine War

• Nov 22, 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin has unveiled a major shift in the country’s nuclear weapons policy and escalated the war in Ukraine by launching a ballistic missile attack on the city of Dnipro. This missile, capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads, marks a warning to the West and intensifies an already volatile conflict.

Earlier this week, Putin announced changes to Russia’s nuclear weapons use policy. Just days later, on Thursday, Russia targeted Dnipro using a new missile named "Oreshnik," which translates to "hazelnut tree" in Russian. The strike is reportedly the first operational use of this missile, described as an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile.

Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh noted that the Oreshnik is based on Russia's RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. While Thursday’s attack employed conventional munitions, experts observed the use of multiple reentry vehicles (MIRVs), demonstrating how the missile could function in a nuclear strike scenario.

Dnipro residents reported that the missile struck an industrial plant operated by PA Pivdenmash, previously known as Yuzhmash. This facility, with a legacy of producing Soviet-era Zenit rockets, also manufactured components for Northrop Grumman's Antares rockets. Videos shared on social media captured multiple explosions at the site, underscoring the missile’s destructive capacity.

The strike on Dnipro followed significant developments in the conflict. Ukraine, for the first time, used US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles and UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to hit targets within Russian territory. This marks a shift in Western support, as Ukraine had previously been restricted to using such weapons only within its borders. The decision came after approval from US President Joe Biden, further straining relations with Russia.

In a rare televised address, Putin justified the attack as a demonstration of Russia’s new missile capabilities. He described the Oreshnik strike as a response to Western involvement and a warning of Russia's strategic strength.

These actions are the latest in a series of escalations in the Russia-Ukraine war, raising fears of broader consequences. Putin's rhetoric and the deployment of advanced weaponry have sparked global concern about the potential use of nuclear arms, deepening the crisis in the region.