Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a televised address from the Kremlin on Thursday, outlined Moscow’s response to recent developments in the Ukraine conflict. He revealed the deployment of Russia’s advanced hypersonic missile system, criticized NATO for escalating tensions, and reaffirmed Russia’s willingness to pursue peace talks. His speech followed Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory using Western-made long-range missile systems, a move he described as a major escalation.

Putin announced that Russia had deployed its new Oreshnik hypersonic missile system during a precision strike on a defense facility in Dnepropetrovsk. The missile, capable of reaching speeds of Mach 10 (12,350 km/h), is part of Russia’s latest generation of medium-range weapons. He emphasized that the system is unmatched, stating, “There are no means of countering such weapons today.” The strike targeted one of Ukraine’s largest industrial complexes, integral to its defense sector.

The Russian president strongly criticized the US and NATO for supplying Ukraine with advanced weaponry, including ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles, which were used this week to strike Russia’s Bryansk and Kursk regions. Putin argued that these actions show NATO’s direct involvement in the conflict, transforming what he described as a regional crisis into a global issue. “This regional conflict provoked by the West has now acquired global elements,” he remarked, warning of the potential for further escalation.

Putin also accused the US of dismantling international arms control frameworks, citing Washington’s 2019 withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. He explained that Russia had refrained from deploying medium-range missiles globally but would reassess this restraint if its security was threatened. To minimize harm, he stated that civilians in affected areas would be warned before any strikes as a humanitarian gesture.

Despite the increasing tensions, Putin reiterated Russia’s readiness for dialogue. “We have always preferred peaceful solutions and remain open to negotiations,” he said. However, he cautioned Western leaders to take Moscow’s concerns seriously, concluding, “There will always be a decisive response to any attack on Russia.” The speech underscores the high stakes in the ongoing conflict and the need for diplomatic resolution.