Zelensky calls for ‘strong reaction’ to Russian hypersonic missile strike, says ‘true peace’ is ‘possible only through force’ – Technologist

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday, November 21, called for a strong response from world leaders to Russia’s use of a new generation hypersonic missile, saying it was a major step up in the “scale and brutality” of the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Russia test-fired a new type of hypersonic intermediate-range missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro.

“This is an obvious and serious increase in the scale and brutality of this war,” Zelensky said in a statement published on Telegram.

Putin cast the strike as a response to Kyiv firing Western-supplied rockets at its territory and hinted the new weapon could be equipped with a nuclear warhead for future strikes.

Zelensky said it was “final proof that Russia definitely does not want peace.”

He also criticised the global response and warned other countries they could also become targets for Putin.

“The world must react. Right now there is no strong reaction from the world,” Zelensky said.

“You have to react. We must squeeze. It is necessary to urge Russia to a true peace, which is possible only through force. Otherwise, there will be relentless Russian strikes, threats and destabilisation, and not only against Ukraine,” he said.

‘Escalation at every turn’

The White House said Thursday that Russia was to blame for escalating “at every turn” in Ukraine, including by bringing in North Korean troops to join its war effort.

“The escalation at every turn is coming from Russia,” White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters, adding that the United States had warned Moscow against involving “another country in another part of the world.”

She vowed that the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden would continue to “surge” assistance to Ukraine in his term’s remaining months.

Russia fired a new medium-range ballistic missile at Ukraine on Wednesday in what was seen as a response to Biden’s decision to authorize Kyiv to fire US-made long-range missiles into Russia.

Jean-Pierre declined to comment on the change in stance on ATACMS missiles, which was first reported over the weekend. “They [Russia] are the ones escalating. We are going to continue to support Ukraine as they push back on that aggression,” she said.

She added that the United States does not see “any reason” to modify its nuclear posture following President Vladimir Putin’s updates to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, while condemning what she termed “irresponsible” rhetoric from Moscow.

“We have not seen any reason to adjust our own nuclear posture or doctrine in response to Russia’s statements,” Jean-Pierre said.

Western intelligence services and Ukraine believe at least 10,000 North Korean troops are being deployed by Russia, with some in the Kursk region, to reinforce Moscow’s forces.

Jean-Pierre called it evidence of “desperation” from Moscow. “They are now seeing high casualties, and so now what they’re doing is turning to DPRK to supply them soldiers.”