According to The Wall Street Journal, in the near future, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) may attack four military airports in Russian territory, including the Rostov region, using ATACMS ballistic missiles provided by the US.

The Wall Street Journal authors consulted a map compiled by the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW). It shows 200 military targets on the territory of the Russian Federation within the ATACMS's firing range.

Ukrainian President Admits Repeated Long-Range Weapons Attacks on Russian Territory

On November 17, information was confirmed that US President Joe Biden had allowed Ukraine to use ATACMS on Russian territory for the first time. And on the night of November 19, the AFU fired six US long-range missiles at the Bryansk region. Five of them were shot down by the S-400 air defense missile system and the Pantsir system. Another missile was damaged by the shot.

Later, Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky announced that his country's military had repeatedly attacked Russian territory with long-range weapons: "This is not the first time we have used this type of weapon. And we have every right to do this under international law."

Fragments of the Oreshnik missile were made public to the press. Photo: Reuters

Russia responds with Oreshnik

On November 21, Russia launched a combined attack on a missile and weapons production facility in Dnepropetrovsk using Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missiles. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Moscow responded to Ukrainian attacks on the Kursk and Bryansk regions with ATACMS and Storm Shadow long-range missiles.

Iranian economist and political scientist Ruhollah Modabber called Russia's Oreshnik attack on Ukrainian territory a clear message to Western countries that sponsor Kiev.

This message means that if Western allies continue to supply weapons to the AFU, the Russian military can attack logistics centers anywhere in the world with weapons that no air defense system can withstand.

Ukraine allows press to visit Oreshnik wreckage

Ukraine allows foreign journalists to visit the wreckage of the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile believed to be Russian that hit the Southern Machine-Building Plant (Yuzhmash) in Dnepropetrovsk.

“Journalists were asked not to disclose the exact location of the object for security reasons,” Reuters reported, confirming that a small group of reporters had access to the remaining parts of the Oreshnik missile. They were stored in a secret area.

Ukrainian President Zelensky also added that experts are studying the Oreshnik wreck. He stated in his speech on his Telegram channel that the missile’s technical characteristics and other details are currently being worked out. The politician also added that “there are air defense systems in the world that can counter such threats” and called for “focusing on this issue.”

Reactions from various sides to the Oreshnik attack

Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba revealed the reaction of the country's people to the attack of Russian Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missiles on Dnepropetrovsk. " I will not hide the fact that the Ukrainian people are worried about this latest blow ," Kuleba said.

Bild deputy editor-in-chief Paul Ronzheimer noted that panic broke out in Kiev after the Oreshnik attack, saying that Russia’s use of new missiles had caused “a new shock wave” in Ukraine.

“Uncertainty. Exhaustion. Despair,” writes journalist Paul Ronzheimer.

Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov explained that the Russian President's speech after the Oreshnik missile launch was a signal to the West about Moscow's readiness to respond to new military challenges.

The Russian president has made it clear to Western countries that Russia will not ignore provocations and escalations from Western countries. Ryabkov stressed that they should recognize the seriousness of the situation and stop. The fact that this is not happening, he added, is evidence of the “fading sense of self-defense” among Western leaders.