Following Putin’s threat, Russia can launch missiles on Western targets.
Following Putin’s threat, Russia can launch missiles on Western targets.
Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, threatened on Wednesday to place conventional missiles within striking range of the US and its European allies in exchange for allowing Ukraine to use long-range Western weaponry to penetrate deeper into Russia. Furthermore, he made it apparent that Russia hasn’t yet ruled out the use of nuclear weapons.
Why is Putin threatening to launch missiles at targets in the West? And which missiles is Russia capable of using? We clarify.
Putin’s threat to the West
Putin made clear statements during his first in-person meeting with senior editors of foreign news agencies since the start of the war in Ukraine. “Why don’t we have the right to supply weapons of the same type to some regions of the world where they can be used to launch strikes on sensitive facilities of the countries that do it to Russia, if they consider it possible to deliver such weapons to the combat zone to launch strikes on our territory and create problems for us?” he asked.
Putin made it clear that he might shoot down Western missiles, specifically mentioning the British and French missile systems as well as the US Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). He emphasized that the West will face equal response in the event of any escalation.
Putin’s speech covered more ground than only the use of missiles. Additionally, he issued a dire warning regarding the catastrophic escalation that would occur if the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) let Kyiv to continue using long-range weapons supplied by the West to strike Russian territory. He made the suggestion that such activities might push the West and Russia into open combat, which would have far-reaching effects. Although Putin has already offered dire warnings to the West, his most recent remarks are particularly significant because to their clarity and seriousness.
The reason for Putin’s Western threat
Following the US and Germany’s approval of Ukraine using Western long-range weapons to attack Russian sites, Putin has issued warnings. Although Washington still forbids Kyiv from utilizing ATACMS for such operations, President Joe Biden recently gave Kyiv permission to fire some US-supplied weaponry at military targets within Russia. Olaf Scholz, the chancellor of Germany, announced that Berlin had given Ukraine permission to use long-range weaponry to strike specific targets on Russian territory.
Furthermore, Putin has asserted that Western military professionals are in charge of and operating these weapons, which he views as direct involvement in the fighting. He issued a warning that Moscow might react with “asymmetrical” actions.
The dynamics of the conflict have significantly changed as a result of this escalation by Western nations. While Western assistance to Ukraine was first restricted to defense, a new phase of cooperation has begun with the country’s ability to deploy Western long-range weapons for offensive operations against Russia. This change is justified by the growing intensity of the war and the strategic necessity of undermining Russian military power. But this change also dramatically ups the ante, possibly escalating the war into more hazardous areas.
The missile power of Russia
Russia possesses the largest collection of ballistic and cruise missiles worldwide, having inherited the vast Soviet missile arsenal. Moscow’s military strategy heavily relies on this vast arsenal, which can carry out a wide range of tasks, from delivering strategic nuclear bombs across continents to denying access or denial of area in local confrontations.
Russia’s investments and technological developments throughout the Cold War have left it with missile capability. Russia’s missile capabilities were not diminished by the fall of the Soviet Union; rather, it inherited a sizable and highly developed arsenal that is now being updated and increased. Russian missiles are a key component of the nation’s defense policy because of their reputation for accuracy, range, and destructive capability.
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