NATO and Ukraine to hold emergency talks after Russian hypersonic missile strike

Russian President Vladimir Putin described the onslaught arsenic retaliation for Ukraine’s usage of Western-provided longer-range missiles susceptible of hitting Russian territory. In a televised address, Putin warned that the Oreshnik rocket is “so almighty that its accepted usage could rival the effects of a atomic strike.”

The rocket was launched from the Kapustin Yar trial scope successful Russia’s Astrakhan region, according to Ukraine’s quality agency. The Pentagon confirmed the missile’s experimental nature, linking it to the RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic rocket program.

Dnipro, Ukraine’s fourth-largest metropolis and a captious hub for subject logistics and humanitarian aid, was the focal constituent of the attack. The rocket struck the Pivdenmash plant, a erstwhile Soviet installation that erstwhile produced intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Global reactions and NATO’s response

NATO and Western leaders person condemned the attack, with Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský calling it an “escalatory step” aimed astatine intimidating Ukraine and Europe. Lipavský expressed enactment for expanding aerial defence assistance to Ukraine, emphasizing the request to antagonistic specified “heinous attacks.”

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, however, echoed Kremlin rhetoric, suggesting that the usage of precocious US weapons successful Ukraine implies nonstop American involvement. Orbán besides warned against dismissing Russia’s atomic rhetoric arsenic a bluff.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the warfare is entering a “decisive phase,” with melodramatic developments highlighting the urgency of NATO’s unified response.

Broader impacts of the attack

Russia’s determination has drawn crisp disapproval for its usage of precocious hypersonic exertion successful progressive conflict. The Oreshnik missile, which Putin claims is unmatched globally, is inactive undergoing testing. Russian officials confirmed plans to nutrient and deploy the rocket depending connected information threats.

Elsewhere successful Ukraine, Russian drone strikes killed 2 radical and injured 13 successful Sumy, according to section officials. The drones, reportedly packed with shrapnel, targeted residential areas, underscoring the ongoing civilian toll of the conflict.

(With inputs from AP)