WASHINGTON, November 27. /TASS/. The launch of the latest Oreshnik hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile without a nuclear warhead demonstrated Russia’s strength and serious intentions to defend its borders while avoiding broader escalation of the Ukraine conflict, the US-based National Interest magazine reported on Wednesday.
Moscow chose to respond to US President Joe Biden’s decision to grant Ukraine permission to strike with American ATACMS tactical missiles deep into Russian territory with a test-launch of the Oreshnik missile. Russia thus proved that it was not bluffing," the US media outlet said.
"The attack showed teeth without inflicting grave damage. Russia has shown that it has a weapon, previously unveiled, and was prepared to use it," it said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on November 21 that the United States and its NATO allies had announced their decision to grant Kiev permission to use long-range high precision weapons, following which US-and UK-made missiles attacked Russian military sites in the Kursk and Bryansk Regions.
In response to these attacks, Russia test-launched the latest Oreshnik hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missiles with conventional warheads against Ukraine’s major Yuzhmash defense enterprise in Dnepr (formerly Dnepropetrovsk), Putin elaborated.
The Russian leader stressed that the West’s inflammatory actions might trigger serious consequences, if the Ukraine conflict escalates further.