The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has escalated further, with Russian forces launching a new hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile, “Oreshnik” (the hazel), targeting a Ukrainian military facility in Dnipro. The attack, carried out on Thursday, was described by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a “clear and severe escalation” in the conflict, now in its 1,000th day.
Zelenskyy condemned the strike, calling for strong international condemnation. “The use of a ballistic missile against Ukraine today is yet more proof that Russia has no interest in peace,” Zelenskyy wrote on X. He further alleged that Russia’s involvement of North Korean troops — with a contingent of at least 11,000 soldiers — was another step in Moscow’s strategy to intensify the war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin justified the missile strike as retaliation for Ukraine’s recent use of advanced Western weapons to target Russian territory. He claimed that Ukraine, with approval from the Biden administration, had deployed six US-made ATACMS missiles on November 19 and British “Storm Shadow” missiles on November 21. These strikes reportedly hit key military targets deep inside Russia.
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“This regional conflict, provoked by the West, has now acquired elements of a global character,” Putin said in a televised address. He also warned of further strikes using advanced missiles, assuring that civilians would be notified beforehand.
Zelenskyy, however, disputed Russia’s narrative, alleging that an intercontinental ballistic missile was used to strike Dnipro, further highlighting Russia’s disregard for peace and international norms.
Amid the rising tensions, China has reiterated its call for calm and restraint from both parties. A senior Chinese official emphasized Beijing’s consistent stance on de-escalating the crisis through dialogue and political resolution. “China’s stance of encouraging all parties to de-escalate the situation and commit to a political resolution of the Ukraine crisis remains unchanged. China will continue to play a constructive role in this regard,” the official stated.
The war, which began in February 2022, has entered a volatile phase marked by increased military strikes, geopolitical maneuvering, and the involvement of third-party nations such as North Korea. As the situation intensifies, international leaders face growing pressure to mediate and prevent the conflict from spiraling into a broader global crisis.
The escalation underscores the urgent need for a unified international response to prevent further devastation and ensure long-term peace in the region.
