Putin Unveils New Missile Amid NATO Tensions

Clear Facts

• Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed the use of an “experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile” against Ukraine, which was not hypersonic.
• The missile strike was in response to the U.S. and U.K. allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied long-range missiles against Russia.
• Despite Putin’s claims, U.S. defense officials stated the missile did not reach hypersonic speeds, which are defined as faster than Mach 5.

In a recent development, Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed the deployment of a new missile type against Ukraine, which he described as an “experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile” (IRBM). However, U.S. officials have clarified that this missile does not possess hypersonic capabilities.

The missile strike was reportedly a reaction to the U.S. and U.K.’s decision to permit Ukraine to utilize long-range missiles provided by Western allies. Putin emphasized that this move was a direct response to what he perceives as aggressive actions by NATO countries.

Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh addressed the matter, confirming that Russia had indeed launched an IRBM based on one of its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) models. Singh noted, “This was a new type of lethal capability that was employed on the battlefield, so that’s certainly a concern to us.”

Despite the initial concerns, U.S. defense officials have assured that there has been no change in Russia’s nuclear posture, nor has the U.S. altered its own.

Putin claimed the missile traveled at a speed of Mach 10, which he argued poses a challenge to current air defense systems. “That’s 2.5 miles per second,” he stated, asserting that existing missile defense systems cannot intercept such speeds. However, U.S. defense officials have contradicted this, stating that the missile did not achieve hypersonic speeds, which are defined as greater than 3,000 mph or faster than Mach 5.

The situation follows President Biden’s recent decision to allow Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) against Russian targets. In response, Ukraine launched strikes on a military arsenal in Bryansk, a region within Russia.

Putin also mentioned the testing of the Oreshnik missile systems in response to NATO’s actions, suggesting that further deployment of such missiles will depend on the U.S. and its allies’ behavior. Despite his statements, it remains unclear if any warnings were issued to Ukrainian civilians prior to the attack.

Images released by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense have shown damage to what appears to be civilian infrastructure, raising further questions about the targets of the missile strike.

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