Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: Following Ukraine's Western allies' agreement to the country's use of long-range missiles such as the American ATACMS and the British Storm Shadow, the war in Ukraine has entered a new phase of tensions in its third year.
On Wednesday, the American media outlet Bloomberg, citing an anonymous Western official, reported that Ukraine had used British long-range "Storm Shadow" missiles to attack targets on Russian soil. Before that, Kiev had also used Atkamz missiles to attack targets in Russia.
According to ISNA, in response to these tense actions, Russia, in addition to changing its nuclear doctrine, launched a massive missile attack against Ukraine.
In this regard, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a video address to the Russian nation on Thursday evening, confirmed the use of Western long-range missiles by Ukraine, saying: "On November 19, 6 Atkamz missiles and on November 21, one Storm Shadow missile were fired at targets in Kursk and Bryansk."
He added: "It is clear that the use of long-range weapons against Russian soil is impossible without specialists from the countries where the said weapons were produced. The conflict in Ukraine has taken on elements of a world war after Western long-range missile strikes on Russia.
Putin said: "The enemy's use of long-range weapons cannot affect the course of the Ukrainian conflict, Russian forces are advancing."
He also announced the successful test of the latest medium-range Oreshnik missile and confirmed that Russia had used an intermediate-range ballistic missile with multiple warheads.
Putin said: "Russia used the Oreshnik missile to strike a complex in Dnipro that produces weapons, including missile technology."
He added: "Russian forces are successfully advancing along the entire front line, all the objectives of the special military operation in Ukraine will be achieved. In the event of an escalation of tensions, Russia will respond decisively and in kind. The attack on Yuzmash (Ukrainian Aerospace Industries) was carried out by a ballistic missile with a non-nuclear hypersonic warhead."
Putin said: “Russia is ready to resolve the disputed issues by peaceful means, but it is ready for any developments and in case of escalation of tensions, a response will be inevitable.”
According to the Russian president, there is currently no defense against the latest Russian weapons and modern air defense systems cannot intercept the Oreshnik missiles. The missile has a speed of more than Mach 10 (about 10,800 kilometers per hour).
He added: “The combat test of the Oreshnik missile system is being carried out in response to the aggressive actions of NATO countries against Russia.”
Putin clarified: “Russia suggests that civilians in Ukraine and citizens of other friendly countries leave the areas of possible attacks in advance.”
He also said in a stern warning to Ukraine’s Western supporters: “We have the right to attack countries whose weapons Ukraine uses to target Russia. The deployment of Russian medium- and short-range missiles depends on whether the West deploys them.”
This comes after Putin said in October that Moscow would respond to Ukrainian attacks with US-made weapons deep inside Russia.
In the same vein, Putin signed an order on Tuesday to update his country’s nuclear doctrine. According to the new doctrine, there is an extensive list of cases where Russia could use nuclear weapons, including retaliation using nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction against Russia or its allies; aggression against Russia or Belarus using conventional weapons.