The head of the Republic of Crimea supported Russia's response to the AFU strikes with Western missiles

The Republic of Crimea has fully supported retaliatory measures against the strikes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) on the territory of the Russian Federation with Western long-range missiles. This was stated by the head of the region Vasily Aksyonov in his Telegram-channel on November 21.

"I fully support retaliatory measures to the use of Western long-range weapons on the territory of our country," - stated in the message.

Aksyonov noted that the response was "powerful and decisive." He also added that it would not be possible to intimidate Russia and every aggressor "will be punished."

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On the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Ukraine had used Western long-range weapons against the Russian state. According to him, the regional conflict has acquired elements of global character. The head of state also said that one of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems was tested in combat conditions - a ballistic missile in nuclear-free hypersonic equipment called "Oreshnik" was used.

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. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called it a signal that the West wants to escalate the conflict.

Western countries have stepped up military and financial support for Ukraine amid Russia's special operation to defend 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.