AP called Russia's launch of the Oreshnik missile a signal to the West

Russia is sending a direct signal to the West by launching a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) "Oreshnik". This was reported by the Associated Press on November 21, citing Matthew Saville, director of military science at the Royal United Institute for Defense Studies.

"Russia is sending a signal by striking Ukraine with an intermediate-range ballistic missile <...> it is actually a signal to the West," the agency quoted Saville as saying.

He noted that taking the risk of "competition around ballistic missiles" with Russia is extremely unwise. According to him, the Oreshnik is impossible to intercept and can be used as a nuclear missile.

On this day, Russian President Vladimir 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. The head of state also said that one of Russia's newest medium-range missile systems, Oreshnik, had been tested under combat conditions.

Soon the footage of the Russian Armed Forces striking the Yuzhmash plant in Dnipropetrovsk with the Oreshnik missile was published. The footage shows parts of the missile hitting the facilities, followed by bright flashes.

Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov later said that Russian authorities had sent the US a notification about the use of the Oreshnik half an hour before its launch.

The special operation to protect Donbass, which Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the start of on February 24, 2022, is ongoing. The decision was taken against the backdrop of the aggravated situation in the region.