Putin plays nuclear gamble: EU responds to intercontinental missile strike
EU spokesperson Peter Stano (photo: Getty Images)
The use of an intercontinental ballistic missile to strike Ukrainian territory marks another escalation in aggression by Russian authorities. This move clearly indicates that Russian Federation (RF) dictator Vladimir Putin is not interested in peace negotiations, the European Union (EU) spokesperson Peter Stano states.
"We are, of course, following reports that Russia has used an intercontinental ballistic missile against a target or targets in Ukraine... It's obvious that such an attack or attacks could mark another clear escalation from the side of Putin," the spokesperson stated.
The speaker emphasized that European countries have repeatedly received clear signals about the Kremlin's intent to escalate the situation. Vladimir Putin initiated this escalation by organizing a food and energy crisis. Now, he aims to use hunger and winter as tools of pressure, targeting Ukraine's energy facilities and civilian infrastructure with drones, guided bombs, and missiles. Additionally, deliberate terror against civilians continues.
"He [Putin] is playing yet again nuclear gamble with the recently updated nuclear doctrine of Russia. He enlisted North Korean soldiers to come to European soil. So these are all clear signs of the will to escalate, not the will to find paths to peace. So, indeed, if they [the Russians] used an intercontinental missile, that would be yet another quantitative and qualitative change in this approach and a clear mark of escalation," Stano added.
Attacks on Ukraine
On the morning of November 21, Russia launched a missile strike on the city of Dnipro, using various types of missiles:
- From the Astrakhan region, an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched.
- From the Tambov region, an air-launched ballistic missile of the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal type.
- From the Volgograd region, seven Kh-101 cruise missiles were fired.
During the aerial battle, Ukraine’s air defense forces destroyed six Kh-101 cruise missiles.
As a result of the strike, an industrial facility and a rehabilitation center for people with disabilities in Dnipro sustained damage.
