On November 21, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin escalated military tensions by announcing a shift in nuclear policy and ordering a ballistic missile attack on Dnipro, Ukraine. This attack utilized the Oreshnik missile, marking its first combat deployment. The missile, which can potentially deliver multiple nuclear warheads, symbolizes a concerning escalation not just in the conflict against Ukraine but also as a direct warning to the West.
The assault on Dnipro coincided with a broader intensification of military actions, where Ukraine began retaliating with US-made ATACMS and UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles directed at Russian targets—a departure from previous restrictions that limited their use to Ukrainian territory. Putin’s recent statements suggest that Western air defenses are ill-equipped to intercept such missiles, a claim that remains unverified.
Pentagon officials characterized the Oreshnik missile as an “experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile,” indicating it could carry either conventional or nuclear payloads. Prior to the strike, the U.S. received brief notification through established nuclear risk-reduction channels.
This tactical missile was conducted from Russia’s Kapustin Yar base, located approximately 800 kilometers from Dnipro, well away from active combat areas. The Oreshnik missile’s implications extend beyond mere tactical usage—it represents a breach of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty), which sought to eliminate such weapons and was abandoned by the U.S. in 2019 due to noncompliance by Russia.
In a concerning declaration, Putin stated that the conflict in Ukraine has international implications, warning that Russia reserves the right to target Western nations that provide military assistance to Ukraine. This rhetoric was underscored by recent Russian territorial losses in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces advanced, indicating a shifting front in this ongoing war.
With casualties mounting—estimates suggest staggering losses of up to a million troops on both sides—the conflict has ramifications that extend far beyond local borders. Putin’s announcement that similar missile attacks will be preceded by warnings to civilians highlights the severe implications and risks as the situation continues to evolve.
As the war persists, U.S. officials emphasize that while they acknowledge the complexities and escalatory nature of these developments, they remain committed to avoiding a larger regional conflict, refraining from direct military confrontation with Russia.
