Putin took another escalatory step with new ballistic missile attack — Zelenskyy

Earlier on Nov. 21, Russia launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile at Dnipro, using a conventional payload featuring multiple independent reentry vehicles. Putin later referred to the missile as an experimental development “Oreshnik,” although some military experts suggested he used a different name to refer to an existing RS-26 Rubezh missile.

“Putin targeted our city of Dnipro — one of Ukraine’s largest cities,” said Zelenskyy.

“This is an obvious and severe escalation in the scale and brutality of this war, a cynical violation of the U.N. Charter by Russia. And I emphasize: this is Russia’s second step toward escalation this year.” 

According to the Ukrainian president, the first such step was involving at least 11,000 North Korean troops in the war against Ukraine. Zelenskyy asserted that Putin has ignored every country in the world that told him to avoid escalating the war further.

“He does not care about the calls from China, Brazil, European countries, America, or any other countries globally,” Zelenskyy added.

“Putin is the sole instigator of this unjustified war, and he relentlessly ensures it continues for over a thousand days.” 

He noted the Nov. 21 attack is further evidence that “Russia certainly does not want peace.”

Zelenskyy stated that the dictator’s claims about a supposed new step by Ukraine in using Western-supplied long-range weapons are untrue. According to the president, Kyiv has used such weapons before and has every right to do so under international law, including the right to self-defense.

The president also stated that by launching missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, using Iranian drones, and deploying a contingent from North Korea on Ukraine’s border, Russia not only prolongs the war but also “continuously disrespects those worldwide who genuinely desire the restoration of peace.”

“The world needs to respond to this,” he said.

“Currently, there is no strong global reaction. Putin is very sensitive to such things. He is testing you, dear partners. It is obvious to everyone who is the sole perpetrator of this war, who started this war on Feb. 24 [2022] and invests all resources to ensure it continues. He must be stopped. If Russia’s actions are met without a firm response, they see that they can proceed. That’s what Putin is doing.”

He urged the world to react, pressure, and compel Russia toward genuine peace, which is “only possible through strength.”

“Otherwise, there will be endless Russian attacks, threats, and destabilization, not only against Ukraine; true peace is worth striving for and action is needed now,” Zelenskyy concluded.