A new hypersonic missile, conflict escalation and a warning for NATO: What you need to know from Putin’s latest address

21 Nov, 2024 20:14 / Updated 1 month ago
The use of Western-made long-range missile systems in the Ukraine conflict has drastically changed its nature, the Russian leader has warned

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a televised address from the Kremlin on Thursday evening, outlining Moscow’s response to recent escalations of the Ukraine conflict. 

He revealed that Russia had deployed a new hypersonic missile system in a strike on Ukrainian territory, criticized the United States for escalating tensions, and reiterated Moscow’s willingness to engage in peace talks while blaming Washington for the conflict becoming global in nature.

Putin’s address comes after recent Ukrainian strikes inside Russia’s pre-2014 borders using Western-made long-range missiles, which mark a significant escalation of the conflict. His comments reflect growing tensions between Russia and the NATO countries, and signal the dangers of a potential shift toward a broader confrontation.