Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday he could deploy conventional missiles within striking distance of the United States and its European allies if they allowed Ukraine to strike deeper into Russia with long-range Western weapons. He also made it clear that Russia has not ruled out the use of nuclear weapons just yet.
Why is Putin threatening Western targets with missiles? And what are some of the missiles Russia can use? We explain.
Putin’s threat to the West
In his first face-to-face meeting with senior editors of international news agencies since the war in Ukraine began, Putin’s statements were unequivocal. “If they consider it possible to deliver such weapons to the combat zone to launch strikes on our territory and create problems for us, why don’t we have the right to supply weapons of the same type to some regions of the world where they can be used to launch strikes on sensitive facilities of the countries that do it to Russia?” he said.
Putin explicitly mentioned the possibility of shooting down Western missiles, highlighting the United States’ Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), and British and French missile systems. He stressed that any escalation by the West would be met with equivalent countermeasures, hinting at a tit-for-tat approach.
Putin’s rhetoric wasn’t just about missile deployments. He also warned about the serious escalation that would result if the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) continued to allow Kyiv to strike Russian territory with Western-supplied long-range weapons. He implied that such actions could draw the West into a direct conflict with Russia, a scenario fraught with global implications. This isn’t the first time Putin has issued stark warnings to the West, but the specificity and gravity of his latest statements make them very considerable.
Behind Putin’s threat to the West
Putin’s threats come on the heels of the US and Germany allowing Ukraine to use Western long-range weapons to strike Russian targets. President Joe Biden recently authorized Kyiv to launch some US-supplied weapons at military targets inside Russia, though Washington still prohibits Kyiv from using ATACMS for such strikes. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz followed suit, announcing Germany’s authorisation for Ukraine to hit certain targets on Russian soil with long-range weapons supplied by Berlin.
Moreover, Putin has claimed that military personnel from Western nations are involved in the control and operation of these weapons, which he sees as direct participation in the conflict. He warned that Moscow could take “asymmetrical” steps in response. This notion of Western involvement escalates the threat perception for Russia, prompting a severe response from Putin.
This escalation by Western countries represents a significant shift in the dynamics of the conflict. Initially, Western support for Ukraine was limited to defensive aid, but the allowance for Ukraine to use Western long-range weapons for offensive operations against Russia marks a new phase. The rationale behind this shift is rooted in the increasing intensity of the conflict and the strategic need to weaken Russian military capabilities. However, this shift also significantly raises the stakes, potentially pushing the conflict into more dangerous territory.
Russia’s missile power
As the heir to the substantial Soviet missile arsenal, Russia boasts the widest inventory of ballistic and cruise missiles in the world. This extensive arsenal plays a crucial role in Moscow’s military strategy, capable of performing a wide variety of missions from anti-access/area denial in local conflicts to the delivery of strategic nuclear weapons across continents.
Russia’s missile capabilities are a legacy of its Cold War-era investments and technological advancements. The collapse of the Soviet Union did not diminish Russia’s missile prowess; instead, it inherited a vast and sophisticated arsenal that continues to be modernized and expanded. Russian missiles are known for their precision, range, and destructive power, making them a cornerstone of the country’s defense strategy.
Key missiles Russia can use include:
Zircon: This hypersonic missile has a range of 1,000 km and travels at nine times the speed of sound. Designed initially as a sea-launched weapon, a ground-launched version has also been developed. Putin has described the Zircon as part of a new generation of unrivaled arms systems. The missile’s hypersonic speed means it can evade most air defense systems, making it a formidable threat to any adversary.
Kinzhal: The Kinzhal, or “dagger,” is an air-launched ballistic missile capable of traveling at more than 11,000 km/h. Russia claims it cannot be destroyed by any existing air defense systems, despite Ukraine’s claims of shooting it down with U.S.-supplied Patriot systems. The Kinzhal can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads, adding to its strategic importance.
Iskander-K: This short-range ballistic missile system has been deployed against Ukrainian cities and military targets since the conflict began. It is known for its precision and the ability to carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. The Iskander system can launch missiles from mobile platforms, making it difficult to detect and neutralize before it strikes its target.
These missiles highlight Russia’s ability to project power and pose a significant threat to both regional and global security. The combination of speed, range, and versatility makes them key components of Russia’s military strategy, particularly in the context of the current conflict in Ukraine.
The possibility of nuclear weapons being used
The question of nuclear weapon use remains a significant concern. Putin’s recent statements have not ruled out this possibility. He reiterated that the West should not underestimate Russia’s nuclear doctrine. “The West is wrong to assume that our nuclear doctrine is something to be taken lightly,” he warned.
Russia’s nuclear doctrine allows for the use of nuclear weapons in response to the use of nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction against it or its allies, and in case of aggression against Russia with conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is threatened. This doctrine, coupled with Putin’s recent statements, suggests that the threshold for nuclear use, while high, is not insurmountable.
The possibility of nuclear weapons being used, while still remote, cannot be entirely discounted given the current escalatory dynamics. This situation calls for careful diplomacy and strategic restraint to avoid further escalation and potential global catastrophe.
With inputs from agencies
