In a recent interview on Russian state television, President Vladimir Putin cautioned that Russia’s defense ministry is developing a plan to counter potential long-range missile strikes on Russian territory by Ukraine, with the help of Western allies.
As the war in Ukraine nears its third year, Putin emphasized that it was premature to specify exactly how Russia would respond to such a move, but stressed that Moscow would act accordingly to any perceived threat.
“The Russian defense ministry is thinking about how to respond to the possible long-range strikes on Russian territory,” Putin stated. “It will offer a range of responses,” he added, without providing further details on the potential countermeasures.
Russian officials have recently signaled that the conflict is entering its most dangerous phase, with the Kremlin warning NATO and its allies that granting Ukraine permission to strike deep into Russia using Western-supplied missiles would be considered a significant escalation.
Last month, Putin declared that such a step would constitute “the direct involvement of NATO countries, in the war in Ukraine,” as NATO military infrastructure and personnel would be required to target and launch the missiles.
The Russian president’s comments come amid growing concerns over the potential for the conflict to spill over into neighboring countries and the possibility of direct confrontation between Russia and NATO member states.
As tensions continue to mount, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, with many calling for diplomatic efforts to deescalate the conflict and prevent further loss of life and destruction.
The United States and its NATO allies have repeatedly stated their commitment to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while also emphasizing the need to avoid direct military confrontation with Russia.
