Russian President, Vladimir Putin, on Thursday said that Russia has the “right” to target and hit military facilities in countries supplying weapons to Ukraine for attacks on Moscow.
His remarks followed a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, which Putin described as a response to Kyiv’s recent use of long-range U.S. and British missiles in attacks on Russia.
Putin confirmed that the strike on Dnipro involved a new intermediate-range ballistic missile, dubbed “Oreshnik” (Russian for “hazel”), and warned that the weapon could be deployed against nations enabling Kyiv’s missile operations.
During his televised address, Putin pledged that Russia would provide advance warnings for future strikes involving this missile to allow civilian evacuations, AP reports.
He also claimed U.S. air defence systems would be ineffective against Russia’s missiles.
The strike on Dnipro reportedly hit a missile factory, injuring two people and damaging a rehabilitation center and an industrial facility, according to Ukrainian officials.
The Ukrainian Air Force stated the missile was launched from Russia’s Astrakhan region near the Caspian Sea.
Tensions have risen sharply this week after the Biden administration eased restrictions on Ukraine’s use of American-made long-range missiles for strikes inside Russia.
In response, Ukraine launched attacks on Russian territory, drawing condemnation from Moscow.
On the same day, Putin signed a new doctrine allowing a nuclear response to conventional attacks on Russia by any nation supported by a nuclear power, further escalating nuclear rhetoric.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticised Putin’s actions, calling him “afraid” and labeling Russia’s continued aggression as evidence of its desperation.
Meanwhile, Western nations accused Moscow of using nuclear threats and reckless behavior to intimidate Ukraine and its allies.
Adding to the hostilities, Russian forces also targeted Zelenskyy’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih on Thursday, injuring 26 people and damaging residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, according to regional governor, Serhii Lysak.
The Russian Defence Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted several Western-supplied missiles and drones but provided no specifics.
Amid escalating violence, analysts remain cautious about the broader implications of Ukraine’s expanded use of Western weapons.
While the loosening of restrictions strengthens Ukraine’s position, experts say it is unlikely to alter the war’s trajectory.
However, it increases the pressure on Russian forces and could complicate their logistical operations.
Peter Ricketts, a former U.K. national security adviser, noted that Ukraine’s use of Western weapons inside Russia undermines Putin’s narrative that Russian strikes are justified while similar Ukrainian actions constitute escalation.
Putin has warned that the development signals direct conflict between NATO and Russia, further raising fears of broader confrontation.