21 November 2024
Volodymyr Zelensky says Putin’s forces are using Ukraine as a missile testing ground after he claimed Russia fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into Ukraine for the first time.
The Ukrainian President said a missile used in Dnipro “matches the speed and altitude” of an ICBM.
“Today, our crazy neighbour once again showed what he really is,” Mr Zelensky said. “And how afraid he is.”
“All the parameters: speed, altitude – match those of an intercontinental ballistic missile. All expert evaluations are underway. Obviously, Putin is using Ukraine as a testing ground.
“Obviously, Putin is terrified when normal life simply exists next to him. When people simply have dignity. When a country simply wants to be and has the right to be independent.”
The Kremlin refused to comment on the strike.
Ukraine's air force did not specify the exact type of missile, but said it was launched from Russia's Astrakhan region, which borders the Caspian Sea.
It comes as Moscow claimed Russian air defences shot down two British Storm Shadow cruise missiles.
The British-made missile – which Kyiv has been lobbying to use beyond Russia’s borders for months – was reportedly fired at a North Korean command centre in Russia’s Kursk region, beyond Ukraine’s north eastern border.
Key Points
The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that its air defence systems shot down two British-made Storm Shadow missiles, six HIMARS rockets, and 67 drones.
The statement didn’t say when or where the Storm Shadows were shot down or what they were targeting. Russia earlier reported downing some of the missiles over the illegally annexed Crimean Peninsula.
Russia also struck Zelensky’s home city of Kryvyi Rih, wounding 26 people, said the head of regional administration, Serhii Lysak.
The missile strike caused damage to an administrative building, at least five multistory residential buildings, and civilian vehicles.
The UK’s Russian ambassador said in an interview with Sky News that “Britain is now directly involved in this war”.
Andrei Kelin said that “this fighting cannot happen without NATO and British stuff”.
Questioned by Mark Austin whether Russia’s use of Iranian drones and North Korean troops meant those countries were involved too, he added: “We have plenty of mercenaries from different countries that are fighting right now on the side of Ukraine.
“We have seen in the Kursk area the Polish unit so what does it matter?”
Watch the bizarre moment a Russian spokeswoman is instructed to say no comment to any questions on an alleged ICBM strike on Dnipro.
While answering reporters’ questions at a weekly briefing, spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was phoned by a man who used the informal “Mash” instead of Maria.
“About the ballistic missile strike on Yuzhmash (rocket company Pivdenmash) that the Western media are talking about, we are not commenting at all,” the man said.
The US decision to provide Ukraine with antipersonnel land mines expands the use of a weapon that the international community has long condemned because of its danger to innocent civilians. And it reflects another in a long line of American policy shifts on the controversial issue in the past 30 years.
US officials say the mines are needed to help Ukraine stall Russian progress on the battlefield, where Moscow’s forces are moving in smaller ground units on the frontlines rather than in more heavily protected armored vehicles.
The defence department has been providing Ukraine with anti-tank mines throughout the war. Defence secretary Lloyd Austin said the new policy will give Ukraine “nonpersistent antipersonnel land mines” that are safer because they lose the ability to detonate over time.
President Volodymr Zelensky wrote an open letter to his people on the Day of Dignity and Freedom.
This day commemorates the beginning of two landmark events in Ukraine’s modern history: the Orange Revolution of 2004 and the Revolution of Dignity in 2013.
On his personal website, he wrote:
“Dear Ukrainians,“On November 21, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Dignity and Freedom – remembering the two Ukrainian revolutions, honoring what Ukrainians truly are. Also today, our insane neighbour has once again shown what they truly are, and how they despise dignity, freedom, and human life itself. And how terrified they are.
“So terrified that they are already using new missiles. And they are searching the world for more weapons. First in Iran, then in North Korea. Today it was a new Russian missile. All the parameters: speed, altitude – match those of an intercontinental ballistic missile. All expert evaluations are underway. Obviously, Putin is using Ukraine as a testing ground. Obviously, Putin is terrified when normal life simply exists next to him. When people simply have dignity. When a country simply wants to be and has the right to be independent.
“Putin is doing whatever it takes to prevent his neighbour from breaking free of his grasp. And I thank all Ukrainians, who are defending Ukraine from this evil – unwaveringly, bravely, firmly. With dignity. This is one of the key words for Ukraine – dignity. And it is a word that will probably never be used again to describe Russia.
“Today, I will sign a Decree enacting the National Security and Defense Council’s decision on dignity. On respect for the true heroes, heroes of Ukraine, for all our dignified people, and on fair treatment of those who chose the other side – chose Russia and treachery.”
................................................................
uk.news.yahoo.com
Volodymyr Zelensky says Putin’s forces are using Ukraine as a missile testing ground after he claimed Russia fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into Ukraine for the first time.
The Ukrainian President said a missile used in Dnipro “matches the speed and altitude” of an ICBM.
“Today, our crazy neighbour once again showed what he really is,” Mr Zelensky said. “And how afraid he is.”
“All the parameters: speed, altitude – match those of an intercontinental ballistic missile. All expert evaluations are underway. Obviously, Putin is using Ukraine as a testing ground.
“Obviously, Putin is terrified when normal life simply exists next to him. When people simply have dignity. When a country simply wants to be and has the right to be independent.”
The Kremlin refused to comment on the strike.
Ukraine's air force did not specify the exact type of missile, but said it was launched from Russia's Astrakhan region, which borders the Caspian Sea.
It comes as Moscow claimed Russian air defences shot down two British Storm Shadow cruise missiles.
The British-made missile – which Kyiv has been lobbying to use beyond Russia’s borders for months – was reportedly fired at a North Korean command centre in Russia’s Kursk region, beyond Ukraine’s north eastern border.
Key Points
- Zelensky claims speed and altitude of Dnipro strike shows it was ICBM
- Russian intel chief warns Russia will retaliate against Nato nations enabling Kyiv strikes
- Russia says it shot down two Storm Shadow missiles
- Russia issues threat of ‘massive’ new missile to hit Kyiv
The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that its air defence systems shot down two British-made Storm Shadow missiles, six HIMARS rockets, and 67 drones.
The statement didn’t say when or where the Storm Shadows were shot down or what they were targeting. Russia earlier reported downing some of the missiles over the illegally annexed Crimean Peninsula.
Russia also struck Zelensky’s home city of Kryvyi Rih, wounding 26 people, said the head of regional administration, Serhii Lysak.
The missile strike caused damage to an administrative building, at least five multistory residential buildings, and civilian vehicles.
The UK’s Russian ambassador said in an interview with Sky News that “Britain is now directly involved in this war”.
Andrei Kelin said that “this fighting cannot happen without NATO and British stuff”.
Questioned by Mark Austin whether Russia’s use of Iranian drones and North Korean troops meant those countries were involved too, he added: “We have plenty of mercenaries from different countries that are fighting right now on the side of Ukraine.
“We have seen in the Kursk area the Polish unit so what does it matter?”
Watch the bizarre moment a Russian spokeswoman is instructed to say no comment to any questions on an alleged ICBM strike on Dnipro.
While answering reporters’ questions at a weekly briefing, spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was phoned by a man who used the informal “Mash” instead of Maria.
“About the ballistic missile strike on Yuzhmash (rocket company Pivdenmash) that the Western media are talking about, we are not commenting at all,” the man said.
The US decision to provide Ukraine with antipersonnel land mines expands the use of a weapon that the international community has long condemned because of its danger to innocent civilians. And it reflects another in a long line of American policy shifts on the controversial issue in the past 30 years.
US officials say the mines are needed to help Ukraine stall Russian progress on the battlefield, where Moscow’s forces are moving in smaller ground units on the frontlines rather than in more heavily protected armored vehicles.
The defence department has been providing Ukraine with anti-tank mines throughout the war. Defence secretary Lloyd Austin said the new policy will give Ukraine “nonpersistent antipersonnel land mines” that are safer because they lose the ability to detonate over time.
President Volodymr Zelensky wrote an open letter to his people on the Day of Dignity and Freedom.
This day commemorates the beginning of two landmark events in Ukraine’s modern history: the Orange Revolution of 2004 and the Revolution of Dignity in 2013.
On his personal website, he wrote:
“Dear Ukrainians,“On November 21, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Dignity and Freedom – remembering the two Ukrainian revolutions, honoring what Ukrainians truly are. Also today, our insane neighbour has once again shown what they truly are, and how they despise dignity, freedom, and human life itself. And how terrified they are.
“So terrified that they are already using new missiles. And they are searching the world for more weapons. First in Iran, then in North Korea. Today it was a new Russian missile. All the parameters: speed, altitude – match those of an intercontinental ballistic missile. All expert evaluations are underway. Obviously, Putin is using Ukraine as a testing ground. Obviously, Putin is terrified when normal life simply exists next to him. When people simply have dignity. When a country simply wants to be and has the right to be independent.
“Putin is doing whatever it takes to prevent his neighbour from breaking free of his grasp. And I thank all Ukrainians, who are defending Ukraine from this evil – unwaveringly, bravely, firmly. With dignity. This is one of the key words for Ukraine – dignity. And it is a word that will probably never be used again to describe Russia.
“Today, I will sign a Decree enacting the National Security and Defense Council’s decision on dignity. On respect for the true heroes, heroes of Ukraine, for all our dignified people, and on fair treatment of those who chose the other side – chose Russia and treachery.”
................................................................
Ukraine-Russia latest: Zelensky says Putin’s forces using Ukraine as missile testing ground after ICBM claim
Russia claims to have shot down two British long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles
