Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday accused Ukraine of using Western-supplied long-range missiles to attack Russian territory, prompting Moscow to test a new medium-range missile system dubbed "Hazel."
In a televised address, Putin stated that the Russian military conducted a combined strike on a Ukrainian military-industrial facility in response to the use of American and British weaponry.
"Under combat conditions, one of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems was tested. The missile, equipped with non-nuclear hypersonic capabilities, successfully achieved its target during the test," Putin said.
The announcement followed Ukrainian strikes on November 19 and 21, which Putin claimed targeted Russian military installations in the Bryansk and Kursk regions using six American ATACMS long-range missiles, British Storm Shadow missiles, and HIMARS rocket systems.
"Our air defense systems successfully repelled these attacks, preventing the enemy from achieving their objectives," Putin said.
The attacks caused a fire at an ammunition depot in Bryansk, which was quickly extinguished without casualties or significant damage, he added. However, a strike in the Kursk region hit a command post of Russia's "North" group, resulting in casualties among security and maintenance personnel. Command staff were unscathed, Putin noted.
Putin dismissed the impact of Western weaponry on the broader conflict, asserting that Russia’s forces continue to advance on all fronts in the "special military operation" zone.
"The use of long-range Western weapons will not alter the course of hostilities. All tasks we have set will be achieved," he declared.
The escalation underscores the deepening complexity of the conflict, which Putin claimed has now acquired "elements of a global nature" due to Western involvement.
In World
-
On the evening of December 2, 70-year-old Ali Babayev, head of the National Congress of Georgian Azerbaijanis, was attacked in Tbilisi. Babayev himself stated this on the Imedi TV channel. He was attacked by the head of the opposition party Citizens, member of the Strong Georgia coalition Aleko Elisashvili.
-
In the center of Tbilisi, near the Georgian Parliament building, where mass protests have been ongoing for the fifth consecutive day, police used water cannons to disperse demonstrators. The decision to employ special measures was prompted by the actions of protesters who banged on the parliament's metal barricades while chanting, "Slaves, slaves!" The protest has also led to the closure of the key Rustaveli Avenue.
-
A night of protests in Tbilisi concluded on December 2 with mass arrests of demonstrators. Following this, the criminal police and unidentified individuals in black balaclavas conducted arrests, detaining people indiscriminately in places such as metro stations, pharmacies, and parks. The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that 21 police officers were injured during the night protest, and a total of 113 officers have been injured since the unrest began.
-
The U.S. will launch on Monday its third crackdown in three years on China's semiconductor industry, curbing exports to 140 companies including chip equipment maker Naura Technology Group, among other moves, said two people familiar with the matter.
Leave a review