‘We are prepared for any turn of events’ In a televised speech, Vladimir Putin claims a hypersonic missile attack on Ukraine and warns the West of more to come — Full transcript

In a televised national address on Thursday, Vladimir Putin informed Russians and the world that he ordered a ballistic missile strike on a weapons factory in Ukraine in retaliation for U.S. and U.K. authorization (and alleged operational support) for longer-range attacks against targets inside Russia by Kyiv using American and British missiles. In his remarks, Putin denounced Washington’s weapons deployments, vowed to continue using ballistic missiles in response, and took the opportunity to praise Russian rocket science. Meduza translated the president’s address in full.

I would like to update the men and women of Russia’s Armed Forces, the people of this nation, and our friends around the world, as well as those who continue to harbor illusions about the possibility of inflicting strategic defeat upon Russia, about events today in the special military operation [sic] zone, specifically following the use of Western-produced long-range weapons against our territory. Continuing their course of escalating the Western-provoked conflict in Ukraine, the United States and its NATO allies recently announced their authorization for the use of their long-range precision weapons systems against Russia’s territory. As experts are well aware and we in Russia have repeatedly emphasized, it is impossible to use these weapons without the direct involvement of military specialists from the manufacturing countries.  

On November 19, six U.S.-produced ATACMS tactical missiles were fired, and a combined missile attack on November 21 included Storm Shadow missiles from the U.K. and HIMARS from the U.S., targeting military facilities in Russia’s Bryansk and Kursk regions. 

From this moment, as we have repeatedly stated, the regional conflict in Ukraine, which the West provoked, has taken on elements of a global nature. 

Our air defense systems intercepted these attacks, and the enemy’s objectives were not achieved. A fire that broke out at an ammunition depot in the Bryansk region due to ATACMS missile debris was extinguished without casualties or significant damage. In the Kursk region, an attack targeted a command post of our Northern grouping. Unfortunately, there were casualties, including fatalities and injuries among the external security personnel and support staff. But the control center’s command and operational staff were unharmed. They continue their routine work, managing our troops’ operations to eliminate and repel enemy forces in the region.  

I want to stress again that the enemy’s use of such weapons cannot affect the course of combat operations in the special military operation [sic] zone. Our troops are successfully advancing along the entire front line. We will accomplish every task we have set for ourselves.  

In response to the use of American and British long-range weapons on November 21, the Russian Armed Forces carried out a combined strike on one of Ukraine’s military-industrial facilities. As part of this operation, we also tested under combat conditions one of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems — specifically, a ballistic missile equipped with non-nuclear hypersonic capabilities. 

Our missile specialists have named it “Oreshnik” [Hazel]. The test was successful; the missile reached its intended target, striking one of Ukraine’s largest industrial complexes, known since Soviet times for producing rocket technology and other weaponry, in the city of Dnipropetrovsk [Dnipro].

We are developing medium- and short-range missiles as a countermeasure to U.S. plans to manufacture and deploy similar missiles in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. We believe the U.S. committed an error when it unilaterally dismantled the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019 under a false pretext. Today, the U.S. not only manufactures these advanced systems but, as we have seen, conducts exercises to prepare for their deployment in various regions, including Europe, and practices their use during training.  

Let me remind you that Russia voluntarily and unilaterally committed not to deploy medium- and short-range missiles until such American systems appeared elsewhere in the world.  

I repeat: We tested the “Oreshnik” missile system in combat conditions in response to NATO countries’ aggressive actions against Russia. Decisions on further deployment of medium- and short-range missiles will depend on the actions of the U.S. and its satellites.  

We will determine targets for future tests of our newest missile systems based on threats to Russia’s national security. We consider it our right to use our weapons against the military facilities of countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities. In the event of escalated aggressive actions, we will respond decisively and symmetrically. I advise the ruling elites of the countries planning to use their military contingents against Russia to take this seriously.  

Of course, when selecting targets in Ukraine for systems like the “Oreshnik” as part of necessary retaliatory measures, we will notify civilians and ask the nationals of friendly states present in those areas to evacuate from danger zones. This will be done openly, publicly, and out of humanitarian considerations, without fear of tipping off the enemy’s countermeasures.  

Why without fear? Because no countermeasures currently exist against such weapons. These missiles strike targets at a speed of Mach 10 — 2.5 to 3 kilometers per second. Modern air defense systems, including those being developed by the Americans in Europe, cannot intercept such missiles.  

Let me emphasize once again that it was not Russia but the United States that destroyed the international security system, and [the U.S.] pushes the entire world toward a global conflict, continuing to cling to its hegemony.

We have always preferred and remain ready to resolve disputes peacefully. But we are also prepared for any turn of events.  

Those who still doubt this, rest assured: There will always be a response.