Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed the attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro with a ballistic missile, but not an intercontinental one.
He said that Russia successfully used an experimental medium-range hypersonic missile. In a statement this Thursday afternoon, Putin said the missile targeted one of Ukraine's largest industrial complexes.
"In response to the attack on Russian territory by Western missiles: the Russian armed forces launched a combined attack on one of the facilities of the Ukrainian defense industry.
In combat conditions, among other things, one of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems was tested. In this case, with a ballistic missile on non-nuclear hypersonic equipment. Our rocketeers called it "Oreshnik". The tests were successful.
The launch goal was achieved. On the territory of Ukraine in the city of Dnepropetrovsk, one of the largest and most famous industrial complexes of the time of the Soviet Union was hit," declared Putin.
The Russian president also spoke about the approval that the US and Great Britain gave to Ukraine to use their missiles for attacks inside Russian territory, warning that in case of escalation, Russia will respond in kind.
"The responsibility for the escalation lies with the US. The US made a mistake by violating the agreement on the elimination of long-range missiles. They have moved their missile systems to different regions around the world.
As a result of the escalation, the United States and its NATO allies said they are giving their permission to use long-range weapons against targets inside Russia. Experts know perfectly well, and the Russian side has repeatedly emphasized, that the use of such weapons without the direct involvement of military operators from the producing countries is impossible.
In case of escalation, we will act decisively in a similar manner. The ruling elites of countries are nurturing plans to use their military contingents against Russia, they must be warned," Putin said.