The US will not alter its policy regarding the Ukraine conflict in light of what Moscow described as a “combat test” of its new state-of-the-art intermediate-range ballistic missile against a Ukrainian military target, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at a news briefing.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday that the nation’s military have launched a new hypersonic ballistic missile – the Oreshnik – targeting a military industrial facility in the Ukrainian city of Dnepropetrovsk. The strike was in response to what Putin called the “aggressive actions of NATO member states against Russia.”
“We were aware of Russia’s launch of an intermediate-range ballistic missile against Ukraine,” Jean-Pierre said later on Thursday. She also claimed that the US had “briefed Ukraine and our close allies and partners in recent days” about the impending strike.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Moscow warned Washington in advance through a contact line designed to reduce the risks of nuclear confrontation, but only 30 minutes before the launch.
In his address, Putin blamed the escalation on the decision by Washington and London to allow Kiev to use Western-made long-range weapons for strikes deep into Russian territory. The Ukrainian military has already conducted several attacks using US-made ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
The White House spokesperson repeatedly dodged questions about whether Washington had indeed lifted the restrictions on the use of ATACMS. Asked if the move could lead to a “dangerous escalation,” Jean-Pierre responded that Moscow is the only side to blame for any escalation.
“We will not be deterred. We will continue to ensure that Ukrainians have what they need on the ground,” she said, adding that the White House sees “no reason to adjust our own nuclear posture” in response to the changes in Russia’s nuclear doctrine.
Putin warned that Moscow reserves the right to target military facilities of nations that allow their weapons to be used against Russia, adding that further use of the Oreshnik will depend on the actions of the US and its allies.