Vladimir Putin Accuses the West of Globalizing the Ukraine Conflict and Warns of Retaliation

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Western nations of escalating the conflict in Ukraine by enabling the use of long-range missiles on Russian territory. In a televised address, he warned that the war has now taken on a global dimension, while hinting at possible retaliation against countries supplying these weapons.

Conflict Takes on a Global Dimension, Says Moscow

Speaking on Thursday, November 21, Vladimir Putin stated that the deployment of American ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine to target sites in Russia had fundamentally altered the conflict. “From the moment these missiles were used on our soil, the conflict instigated by the West has acquired a global character,” he declared, adding that Russian defenses had successfully intercepted the strikes.

Potential Retaliation Against Weapon-Supplying Nations

The Kremlin leader suggested that Moscow might target countries providing arms to Ukraine if they continued down this path. “We reserve the right to strike military infrastructure in nations that allow their weapons to be used against our territory. Should aggression escalate, our response will be equally severe,” he warned.

A Show of Strength with a Hypersonic Missile

In response to Ukrainian strikes, Vladimir Putin announced that Russia had deployed a new-generation hypersonic ballistic missile, dubbed “Orechnik,” to hit a military-industrial facility in Ukraine. He emphasized that this weapon, in its denuclearized configuration, is capable of reaching targets at Mach 10—about 3 kilometers per second—and that no current defense system could intercept it.

Ukraine confirmed being hit by an unknown missile in the city of Dnipro, home to a strategic manufacturing plant. The United Nations expressed deep concern over the use of such advanced technology, calling it a “troubling and worrisome development.”

A Warning to the West

“We are prepared for any scenario,” Putin insisted, stating that Moscow remains willing to pursue diplomatic solutions while bracing for further provocations. “If anyone still doubts our resolve, it won’t change anything: the response will always be proportionate.”

As the conflict escalates, the Russian president’s statements intensify global concerns, particularly regarding the increasing involvement of advanced military technologies.