In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, the Kyiv Independent’s Anna Belokur reports on Russia’s recent missile strike using a new ballistic weapon. Meanwhile, Twitter owner and Donald Trump ally Elon Musk throws an online jab at President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Key developments on Nov. 22: * Russia likely used ballistic missile from 'Kedr' complex to strike Dnipro, intelligence says * Russia plans to launch mass production of Oreshnik missile, Putin says * North Korea received anti-aircraft missiles, oil from Russia in exchange for troops, reports say * Russia has deployed nearly 60,000 troops
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia will continue to test the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, including in combat conditions.
The ballistic missile launched by Russia on Nov. 21 against the city of Dnipro was likely part of the "Kedr" missile complex tested in recent years, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) said.
Russia gave the U.S. a brief advance warning of the intermediate-range ballistic missile strike on Ukraine prior to the attack, according to comments a U.S. administration official made at a briefing on Nov. 21.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that during the Nov. 21 strike on Dnipro, Russia tested a new intermediate-range ballistic missile — Oreshnik (Hazel).
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address that the attack was a test of Russia's "newest missile," an IRBM called "Oreshnik."
Key developments on Nov. 18: * Russian missile attack on Odesa hits residential area, kills 10, injures 55 * US aims to 'provoke further escalation' — Kremlin comments on long-range strikes * Scholz's stance on Taurus unchanged despite US permission on long-range strikes * Turkish president to propose freezing Ukraine front line, Bloomberg reports * Zelensky
Russia launched multiple missile attacks on the city of Sumy overnight on Nov. 18.
A 48-year-old man suffered head injuries in the Brovary district close to Kyiv as a result of fallen debris. A fire broke out in a warehouse, the regional military administration and the State Emergency Service said.
Zelensky said that if granted permission to use Western long-range weapons on Russian territory, Ukraine could preemptively target "every camp" in Russia where North Korean troops are gathering.
Ukraine says it has the know-how to produce more much-needed drones as well as missiles for strikes deep into Russia, and all it needs is financial backing from Western allies. “We’ve got all the knowledge, we've got all the capabilities in place,” Alexander Kamyshin, advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky
Microelectronics made by companies from the U.S., Switzerland, the U.K., and the Netherlands were found in the North Korean missile that was shot down over Poltava Oblast.
The EU's sanctions list newly includes individuals and entities responsible for the development and transfer of drones and missiles to Russia.
Iran has delivered two domestically manufactured satellites to Russia for an upcoming launch, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Oct. 12. This marks the latest instance of space collaboration between the two nations, both of which are under U.S. sanctions.
Russia's supply of ballistic missiles from Iran, confirmed last month by the U.S., is not expected to be immediately affected by escalating tensions in the Middle East, but two complicating factors could cause longer term issues. Iran launched its largest-ever aerial attack against Israel on Oct. 1, with nearly
According to Bloomberg, the EU's sanctions would target "about a dozen individuals and entities," which includes firms involved in the engineering, metals, and aviation sectors.
"Our priority is to develop domestic drones and long-range weapons, including ballistic missiles," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on Oct. 1 at Ukraine's second international defense industry forum.
"In the first half of this year alone, Ukraine produced 25 times more artillery and mortar ammunition than in the entire year of 2022," Zelensky said at the second international defense industry forum in Kyiv.
"We are willing to sit down with the Europeans and the Americans to have a dialogue and negotiations. We have never approved of Russian aggression against Ukrainian territory," Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian claimed.
Open-source intelligence project MeNMyRC reported on Sept. 19 that a test launch of Russia’s RS-28 Sarmat Super-Heavy Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) resulted in failure at the launch site in Plesetsk, Russia based on analysis of satellite images.
Iran did not include mobile launchers along with its delivery of ballistic missiles to Russia, Reuters reported on Sept. 21, citing three sources with knowledge of the matter.
The Shahed-136B is reportedly an upgraded version of the Shahed-136, a type of drone used by Russia in near-daily attacks against Ukraine. The newer drone has an operational range of 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles).
According to the preliminary data, Russia launched Iskander-M ballistic missiles, damaging port and civilian infrastructure, as well as a civilian ship under the Antiguan flag.
"By the end of the month the new Samp/T system will be delivered to Ukraine, and we know how much every minute of delay costs," Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said on Sept. 17.
"I cannot confirm the use of the missiles for now. I can only confirm when we have evidence. As it was with North Korea," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
After months of contradictory reports, the U.S. on Sept. 10 confirmed that Iran had delivered ballistic missiles to Russia in what could prove a dramatic development for Ukraine. "We've warned Tehran publicly, we've warned Tehran privately, that taking this step would be a dangerous escalation," U.S. Secretary of
The three countries said that they have "privately and publicly been clear that we would take new and significant measures against Iran if the transfers took place."
"We are looking further into it with our member states and if confirmed, this delivery would represent a substantive material escalation in Iran's support for Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine," EU spokesperson Peter Stano said.
The British news outlet The Times wrote that according to an undisclosed Ukrainian military source, a shipment of 200 Iranian ballistic missiles already arrived at an unspecified port in the Caspian Sea on Sept. 4.
Ukraine's continued requests to Western allies for more air defenses were answered in part this week, with the announcement that Germany has ordered an additional 17 IRIS-T air defense systems for Kyiv. And the timing couldn't be more critical – an ongoing campaign of aerial strikes on Kharkiv, devastating attacks like
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said on Sept. 7 that if Iran provides ballistic missiles to Russia, "it will have devastating consequences for Ukrainian-Iranian bilateral relations."
