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NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile that escalated the nearly 33-month-old war.
The conflict is “entering a decisive phase,” Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Friday, and “taking on very dramatic dimensions.”
Ukraine’s parliament canceled a session as security was tightened following Thursday's Russian strike on a military facility in the city of Dnipro.
In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech to his nation that the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory.
Putin said Western air defense systems would be powerless to stop the new missile.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov kept up Russia's bellicose tone on Friday, blaming “the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries” in supplying weapons to Ukraine to strike Russia.
"The Russian side has clearly demonstrated its capabilities, and the contours of further retaliatory actions in the event that our concerns were not taken into account have also been quite clearly outlined," he said.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, widely seen as having the warmest relations with the Kremlin in the European Union, echoed Moscow's talking points, suggesting the use of U.S.-supplied weapons in Ukraine likely requires direct American involvement.
“These are rockets that are fired and then guided to a target via an electronic system, which requires the world’s most advanced technology and satellite communications capability,” Orbán said on state radio. “There is a strong assumption … that these missiles cannot be guided without the assistance of American personnel.”
Orbán cautioned against underestimating Russia’s responses, emphasizing that the country’s recent modifications to its nuclear deployment doctrine should not be dismissed as a “bluff.” “It’s not a trick… there will be consequences,” he said.
Separately in Kyiv, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called Thursday's missile strike an “escalatory step and an attempt of the Russian dictator to scare the population of Ukraine and to scare the population of Europe.”
At a news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Lipavský also expressed his full support for delivering the necessary additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians from the “heinous attacks.”
He underlined that the Czech Republic will impose no limits on the use of its weapons and equipment given to Ukraine.
Three lawmakers from Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, confirmed that Friday's previously scheduled session was called off due to the ongoing threat of Russian missiles targeting government buildings in central Kyiv.
In addition, there also was a recommendation to limit the work of all commercial offices and nongovernmental organizations "in that perimeter, and local residents were warned of the increased threat,” said lawmaker Mykyta Poturaiev, who added this is not the first time such a threat has been received.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office continued to work in compliance with standard security measures, a spokesperson said.
Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate said the Oreshnik missile, whose name in Russian means “hazelnut tree,” was fired from the Kapustin Yar 4th Missile Test Range in Russia’s Astrakhan region, and flew 15 minutes before striking Dnipro. The missile had six nonnuclear warheads each carrying six submunitions and reached a spoeed of Mach 11, it said.
Test launches of a similar missile were conducted in October 2023 and June 2024, the directorate said. The Pentagon confirmed the missile was a new, experimental type of intermediate-range missile based on its RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile.
Thursday's attack struck the Pivdenmash plant that built ICBMs when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. The military facility is located about 4 miles (6 1/2 kilometers) southwest of the center of Dnipro, a city of about 1 million that is Ukraine’s fourth-largest and a key hub for military supplies and humanitarian aid, and is home to one of the country’s largest hospitals for treating wounded soldiers from the front before their transfer to Kyiv or abroad.
The stricken area was cordoned off and out of public view. With no fatalities reported from the attack, Dnipro residents resorted to dark humor on social media, mostly focused on the missile’s name, Oreshnik.
Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russia struck a residential district of Sumy overnight with Iranian-designed Shahed drones, killing two people and injuring 13, the regional administration said..
Ukraine’s Suspilne media, quoting Sumy regional head Volodymyr Artiukh, said the drones were stuffed with shrapnel elements. “These weapons are used to destroy people, not to destroy objects,” said Artiukh, according to Suspilne.
Associated Press journalists Lorne Cook in Brussels, Samya Kullab in Kyiv, Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia, and Justin Spike in Budapest, Hungary, contributed.
© Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
52 Comments
TaiwanIsNotChina
Nobody is impressed. Should stop running around with their heads chopped off.
Some dude
It's odd that for a country which is (our resident experts insist) apparently on the edge of obliterating Ukraine from existence, they feel the need to use such weaponry.
It's even odder that they're still trying to subjugate a country which is 28 times smaller than them after close on three years of trying.
They're not very good at this, are they?
Underworld
Which is an obvious lie because Russia has been planning to test these experimental missiles in Ukraine for some time now.
It doesn't.
JJE
Doesn't obscure the fact RFAF have made a breakthrough in the South Donetsk sector and are rolling into and around Kurakhove at this moment - and also securing the big lithium deposits there just a touch NW of Shevchenko.
JJE
Sorry, NE of said place. It's in the fields just outside of town. That's why Zel wants to hold it but it will fall.
The line is being straightened in a more dramatic fashion than one predicted and still a week for kick-off for the winter campaign.
JJE
Even odder certain quarters think a few dozen missiles launched at various stuff would slow down a country 26 times larger (28 maybe) with much larger population and a well-oiled complex out for justice.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Bombing civilians in an illegal war of aggression must be justice only to the russian.
JJE
Go to the article about US-Ally Israel and see who is being bombed there.
Haaa Nemui
there won’t be any admission of the fact, but this is not some tangential benefit of the war. It’s actually some truth (but not all) at last about the motivation.
TaiwanIsNotChina
As long as we are clear that Putin and Netanyahu will be sharing the same cell for the same crimes.
JJE
One may not agree with all and sundry.
But name a significant conflict in the last 100 years which wasn't ultimately over geopolitical control of resources. Wind that dial back another 100.
The list will be very short indeed.
JJE
The west is fighting for the enormous resources of Ukraine (and getting the locals to die for it).
Russia is not going to allow those resources to go to the west.
That's what this whole thing is about.
If you fell for the "defending democracy" thing, that's ok. Most did. The west wants to what is buried and Russia is not allowing it to happen.
Haaa Nemui
“The west” did not invade Ukraine. It’s always been about Russia trying to change the status quo.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Fact of the matter is that wars of aggression are disgusting war crimes and the fact that posters think they should be fought for resources just highlights their mentality.
Haaa Nemui
And Ukraine, like most former nations of the Soviet bloc, wants nothing to do with Russia. So Putin decided he wants the resources which Ukraine was going to deny him in moving toward the EU. The “denazification” of Ukraine is part of the lie.
Haaa Nemui
Also, it’s funny you mentioning China. The whole BRICS thing is tied to this. You’re correct though. It absolutely is not about democracy.
Mr Kipling
Russia gave a prior warning of the launch and target to the US to avoid the fear of a nuclear strike.
The video of the hit was very impressive, 4 batches of six warheads slamming into the target area. It is believed that the warheads contained no explosives just kinetic energy. The warheads resemble the hazel tree buds hence the name.
Go watch the video and tell us what NATO has that can intercept at mach 10.
falseflagsteve
This is due to Biden and his last hoorah which leads to more death and destruction. More money for the arms dealers though and more debt for Ukraine that will take decades to pay off.
kurisupisu
No defense against Russian hypersonic missiles.
It’s time for Ukraine to start peace talks as the Russians have requested numerous time.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Can you recommend us a country that has surrendered and been treated well by russia?
TaiwanIsNotChina
Land is forever.
falseflagsteve
Taiwan
They have lost the land and more daily nd getting in more debt daily, not going well is it? As I said all through this Ukraine cannot win despite being given unlimited weapons. Only way to take back the land is to bring in NATO troops and that would be catastrophic.
Fos
Russia has single-handedly stopped American and its Ukrainian and European vassals' attempts. And any negotiations will have to start with the military situation on the ground: so much for a just peace with the return of every inch conquered and annexed from 2014 to the present!
For the US administration, it was just a golden opportunity to wear down Putin, put a leash on the Europeans and make good deals on arms and energy. Always without ever crossing a certain line, without fully committing to it. Apart from the promises to the lobbies of weapons in Wall Street.
Trump will only, offensively, draw conclusions.
Underworld
flagsteve
It has nothing to do with Biden. It’s been planned for a while.
Biden is forgiving Ukraine’s debt.
falseflagsteve
Underworld
Hasnt been planned for a while, it’s because Trump is likely to stop unlimited help to Zelensky and it’s a dig at him by the current administration. It will not bear fruit anyway, the amount of missiles are small and the landmines can easily be dealt with.
‘It’s a charade, a game they okay, a game in which many die and they don’t give a jot.
kurisupisu
There won’t be any victory by Ukraine over Russia.
There is already just one conclusion without the use of nuclear weapons and that is Ukraine surrendering.
It’s either surrender or a global war.
Underworld
falseflagsteve
oh, they just decided to test an experimental missile a couple of days ago? I don’t think so.
Don’t know what Trump will do.
Actually it’s likely to help Trump. At the least it will be a bargaining chip.
Yes. Russia are likely to have around 10 of these missiles.
Yup. Putin doesn’t care what death and destruction he causes.
falseflagsteve
Underworld
Bargaining chip, lol. Everything they do is making things worse for Ukraine. Up to now the worst mistake was the Kursk invasion, taking well trained men from the front lines to try and get. ‘Bargaining chip”. All these stupid things are playing into Putins hands, it’s almost as if that’s what they wanted.
dobre vam zajebava
The Oreshnik missile has raised alarms in the West. The use of this new weapon, combined with the conflict in Ukraine, has spurred calls to strengthen air defenses. Ukrainian officials have already approached the US to discuss receiving advanced systems, which could include modernized Patriots or even Aegis missile defense platforms. However, there is no evidence to suggest they would be effective against the Oreshnik.
Fos
And yet, trying to defend the inexcusable US administration, and his totally unjustifiable conduct. The same client who is supplying almost $20 billions in 2024 to Israel’s IDF to conduct a terrible mass killing of 44.000 people in the Middle East. And here we are, we should all praise the United States of America coming to Europe to lecture other people on how to conduct another war.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Retreating like Putin asks and relying on his tender graces would result in more land lost, wouldn't it? Giving russia a peace of paper legitimating its savagery would cause this scenario to be repeated, wouldn't it?
Underworld
Fos
So you condemn Israel's IDF for conducting a terrible mass killing of 44.000 people in the Middle East, and yet you have no words of condemnation for Putin killing thousands in Ukraine?
Burgerland
These are rockets that are fired and then guided to a target via an electronic system, which requires the world’s most advanced technology and satellite communications capability....these missiles cannot be guided without the assistance of American personnel.”
The direct involvement can not be denied here. Biden admin escalation.
Nobody is impressed. Should stop running around with their heads chopped off.
The ' UA needs to keep fighting ' crowd would be more impressed if they were posting from the UA frontlines instead of a comfy sofa half the world away.
Burgerland
It's odd that for a country which is (our resident experts insist) apparently on the edge of obliterating Ukraine from existence, they feel the need to use such weaponry."
Even more odd that Russia is able to use such weaponry since our resident JT experts tell us Russians ran out of missiles and tanks, their shovel convict rabble army is demoralized and Russian economy is in shambles. Every single of their propaganda driven predictions was laughably wrong. Ukraine needs peace talks now , not Biden/ Harris elements pushing more escalation on their way out.
stormcrow
Will America join with China, N. Korea, Iran and Syria in support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine after Trump takes office?
TaiwanIsNotChina
The "Ukraine needs to surrender" crowd would be more impressive if they were posting from a country on the chopping block.
Unconditional peace talks have not been offered by Herr Putin.
What resources is the US extracting from the Iraq without their consent? Just to clarify. Zero land annexed. Simple as.
TaiwanIsNotChina
It's a long way to Kyiv. As long as terrorists are being expended, I am good.
TaiwanIsNotChina
A just peace can be a just ceasefire until russia corrects itself.
A fascinating claim how Biden ordered tanks from Belarus towards Kyiv and elsewhere.
Defending a country from heinous assault could not be more justified.
Praising the killing of hundreds of thousands in Ukraine and here we are, we should all praise Fos for lecturing Ukraine on how they should surrender.
deanzaZZR
Daniel Davis Deep Dive on YT was very interesting today as his guest was a MIT professor who studies nukes. I am not normally into the military/weapons stuff but I watched all of this program. We are in increasingly dangerous times, my friends. Pray for peace.
KnightsOfCydonia
How can we even contemplate peace with a global partner acting this way?
If putin as allowed to bully the world in such a way, what does that teach other autocratic despots?
These weapons should not exist, but they do.
The world should not be on the brink, but it is.
appeasement is no peace.
Now is not the time to back down while we face such evil.
quercetum
Putin is all talk and rattling. He wouldn't shoot a missile let alone a hypersonic.
Zaphod
TaiwanIsNotChina
To the contrary. The military side is extremely impressed by he demonstration that Russia can hit and demolish any target in Europe with a weapon that may or my not carry a nuclear weapon. It should be a signal to stop this proxy war, instead of escalating it. But the EU politicians still do not get it.
Zaphod
Some dude
It is escalation in response to Bidens and Starmers escalation with Atacms and Storm shadow. You did not know that?
This is not about "subjugating a country", as has been explained here many times. Maybe you missed the explanation every time.
KnightsOfCydonia
russia can stop this war anytime they like. retreat back to the russian border and poof the war stops.
time to stop blaming others for your own folly.
proxy war is such a lame excuse for what has happened.
Underworld
Burgerland
These are rockets that are fired and then guided to a target via an electronic system, which requires the world’s most advanced technology and satellite communications capability....these missiles cannot be guided without the assistance of American personnel.”
Yes, it can. Not involved.
Putin escalation
Underworld
Zaphod
Nobody is impressed. Should stop running around with their heads chopped off.
Just like the missiles that NATO have.
Not a proxy war. But agree that Putin should stop it.
The only escalation is coming from Russia.
Underworld
Zaphod
It's odd that for a country which is (our resident experts insist) apparently on the edge of obliterating Ukraine from existence, they feel the need to use such weaponry.
No. It isn't. They were planning this experimental missile long before.
It totally is about "subjugating a country", as has been explained here many times. Maybe you missed the explanation every time.
stormcrow
The USA more than likely has weaponry superior to this Russian display of power, the difference being the USA isn’t going to show its hand.
Walk softly but carry a big stick.
Burgerland
The "Ukraine needs to surrender" crowd would be more impressive if they were posting from a country on the chopping block.
Volunteered for the UAF foreign legion to justify calls for prolonging the war yet? Why not?
RichardPearce
So, 'we' somehow didn't escalate by allowing Zelensky more freedom in his weapons choices, but when Russia responded by adding freedom to its commanders in their weapons choices, THAT was escalation.
Of course, that makes sense to 'us', but 'we' are less than 1/3 of the world. And while that didn't matter last century, because 'we' were so much more powerful it didn't matter what 'they' thought, that power gap has shrunk to the point where what 'they' think matters, even as we refuse to acknowledge it.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Russia has the same population as Japan, roughly, and China is only 1/6th of the world's population. Everyone else is just in it to make a buck.
TaiwanIsNotChina
All ICBMs go hypersonic on reentry and the Israelis seem to have confirmed that there is nothing russia has that stops F-35s from paying a visit.
There is no point in stopping without a just peace which has not been offered.
Could be that one of your compatriots keeps saying Ukraine will be restricted to the environs of Lviv. Could also be that Putin went straight for Kyiv just two years ago.