Putin promised a mirror response in case of escalation of hostilities

In the event of an escalation of hostilities, Russia will act in a mirror-like manner. Russian President Vladimir Putin said this in an address to Russians on November 21.

"And in case of escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond also decisively and in a mirror-like manner. I recommend that the ruling elites of those countries that are hatching plans to use their military contingents against Russia seriously think about it," the president said.

The head of state specified that the development of domestic medium-range and shorter-range missiles is Russia's response to Washington's plans to produce and deploy missiles in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Putin called it a mistake for the United States to violate the Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missile Elimination Treaty.

"We have always preferred and are now ready to resolve all disputed issues by peaceful means. But we are also ready for any development of events. If anyone still doubts this, it is in vain - there will always be an answer," the Russian leader summarized

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Why Ukraine is betting on escalation and what happened in the Bryansk region

On the same day, Putin said Ukraine had used Western long-range weapons against the Russian state. According to him, the regional conflict has acquired elements of global character. He also reported the Russian state's testing of the Oreshnik missile in response to NATO's aggressive actions. The Russian leader specified that the issue of further deployment of medium and shorter range weapons will be decided by us depending on the actions of the US and its satellites.

Military expert, retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Davis said that the Kiev regime will lose the conflict with Russia even with the authorization of US President Joe Biden to strike Russian territory with long-range ATACMS missiles. In the expert's opinion, Biden's attempt at a "gambit" on Ukraine may go sideways for the United States itself, which risks a direct clash with the Russian Federation.

On November 19, the Russian military shot down five ATACMS missiles launched by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in the Bryansk Region and damaged another one. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called it a signal that the West wants to escalate the conflict.

Russian Kremlin presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that the Biden administration wants the conflict in Ukraine to continue, and the AFU strikes by Western long-range missiles deep into Russian territories are a new escalation. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that such use of missiles would receive an "adequate and tangible" response.

Western countries have stepped up military and financial support for Ukraine amid Russia's special operation to protect Donbass, which began on February 24, 2022. The decision to carry it out was taken by the Russian president because of the aggravation of the situation in the region due to the increased shelling by Ukrainian troops.