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thetruearchmagos · 7 months ago

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Had A Brainwave~

As usual, these thoughts came to me when I had already turned in and should've been asleep.

Basically, I was thinking back to how the fuck I was going to develop the history of nuclear weapons in the 12 Worlds, and more specifically how I would tackle the question of how the 'main bad guys' of my major current WIPs would interact with nuclear weapons. Then, it hit me:

Do Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles exist in the 12 Worlds?

You see, up til now I was seeing things entirely from a perspective tinted with how nukes developed in the real world, within a geopolitical environment defined by the bipolar competition between the USA and USSR. But... that's just not how the 12 World works!

The 12 Worlds has never been, and probably never could be, a 'bipolar' one politically. Instead, its history has either been one dominated by the United Commonwealth, or more commonly til recent times defined by constant webs of multipolar powers vying primarily at the regional level against their most direct competitors, with a sprinkling of genuinely expansionist and 'internationally minded' powers here and there.

Specifically on the ICBM question, the removal from earth history also removes the simple geographical fact that the two superpowers of earth's nuclear arms race were, y'know, separated by the North Pole. This sheer distance over which nuclear warheads would have to be projected dominated the technological development of nuclear weapons and tactics, but in the 12 Worlds, there's no reason I have to account for a similar geographic requirement for my nuclear powers.

Instead, going with a highly 'regionalised' environment of nuclear competition, albeit with the 'trans-World' UC in the mix sometimes, it makes sense for several nuclear powers (the current number I've handwaved is a few dozen) to never really bother inventing or acquiring ICBMs with intercontinental throw-ranges, and to instead only bother with Intermediate Range missile, or even keep bomber fleets, which would suffice to deter or destroy their rivals.

Just a thought, but one with some fascinating implications for the 12 Worlds which gives me a chance to differentiate it from real history.

Tagging @theprissythumbelina @caxycreations @hessdalen-globe @bureaumantic

@vyuntspakhkite-l-darling @dark-bear-productions @avrablake

#worldbuilding #writeblr #writing #my wips #my worldbuilding #my writing #original writing

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weirdestbooks · 3 months ago

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Secrecy and Deception Chapter 44

Removing the Missiles (Wattpad | Ao3)

Table of Contents | Prev | Next

Event: Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty

Location: Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America

Date: December 8, 1987

The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty was another big step in putting an end to the arms race. Banning all ground-launched ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and missile launchers with ranges of 1000-1500 kilometers or 500-1000 kilometers, the agreement once again blocked off an entire group of nuclear weapons from production.

"Thank God. It seems like things are getting…better, and this will hopefully keep things moving in a positive direction," Mabel muttered.

America and Soviet Union had both been quick to sign it, eager to get the whole deal over with.

Both the treaty and the arms race.

Their leaders wanted to keep talking, so Soviet Union and America were now trapped outside the room, waiting awkwardly for the day to be over.

Eventually, Soviet Union broke the silence.

"It'll be good for our economies to have a reason not to continuously produce weapons and allow ourselves to focus on pursuits that better benefit our countries, don't you think?" Soviet Union asked. America shrugged.

"I'm not the one with an economic crisis. Maybe you should consider pulling out of Afghanistan. It's turning into your version of Vietnam," America replied, his tone even.

"America, you've cut us out of the conversation," Caleb called, their tone both joking and annoyed. America tried not to let his own annoyance show on his face. He couldn't exactly change the conversation to English now, and he could fill Caleb in later.

It wasn't his fault he was a polyglot, and they all had memory gaps sometimes.

Caleb could be fine with it now.

"Secretary Gorbachev wants to withdraw us. But things like that take time,"Soviet Union replied.

"All good things come with time. Speaking of withdrawing, when are you going to withdraw from the Baltic nations? Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia's children are eager for the day when their services are no longer needed, and if we are heading for a time of peace…" America trailed off, purposely letting the question hang in the air.

Soviet Union's new leader had implemented a lot of reforms that were changing things within the Soviet Union. America could only hope it would end up benefiting those who were trapped under his command as well.

Anger flashed across Soviet Union's face before he sighed and adopted a tone as if he were scolding a small child.

"I am not withdrawing from a part of my own nation,"Soviet Union said.

"That's funny. I seem to remember them joining through after an invasion and subsequently sending out calls for help," America said, crossing his arms, locking Soviet Union's face in an even look. "Not to mention there have been no personifications changes since they were invaded."

"They are happy to be a part of my country. Just because there are people who disagree does not mean that they are not grateful. You can delude yourself into thinking they are, but the calls were the result of politicians who hated me. They know now that I was trying to help them," Soviet Union said. America shook his head.

Soviet Union could claim to hate empires all he wanted.

America knew that kind of language, those kinds of excuses.

"Oh, is he being an imperialist?" Caleb asked.

"If you can't tell, Caleb is bored and wants drama," Conch Republic said, sounding amused, "I don't think he understands treaties are supposed to be drama-free."

"Conch, I am much older than you and have seen my fair share of treaties. Let me be the first to tell you that they are not drama-free," Caleb answered.

"They'll get their independence eventually," America said, switching back to English as the conversation moved to more contested grounds, "Much of the world doesn't recognize your hold. The status we're in won't last forever."

"You cannot be sure of that. They're not some…some colony. They're a vital part of my country, a part of my family. They cannot be taken away as if they don't matter,"Soviet Union said. America shrugged.

"I've seen a lot of people get their independence after being incorporated into a country. Ireland, for one. He backs me on this for a reason," America said, keeping his tone calm. Soviet Union let out a small hum, and didn't answer.

"Someone doesn't like being proven wrong," Caleb said. Electing to annoy the others, as they were being annoying, and Soviet was the last person America wanted to find out about them

"Well, if you want to turn to more positive topics that won't turn this treaty signing into us causing a mess of things, how are those reforms of yours going?" America asked, deciding that he didn't want to get in trouble in case the disagreement turned into an argument.

That wasn't something they needed right now, especially with a treaty as important as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty on the line.

"They're going well. It's not weakening us," Soviet Union said, seemingly adding on the second part as an afterthought, as if he had to prove to America that he was not being weakened by the reforms.

"I wasn't asking for that reason. Things are meant to be peaceful…well more peaceful now," America said. Soviet Union looked unamused, and much to Soviet Union's luck, the door opened seconds later, revealing their two leaders, having finished up whatever they needed to discuss.

"Have a good evening," Soviet Union said, quickly taking advantage of the opportunity to leave.

"I can't tell what's worse. You two arguing and threatening to destroy the whole world in the process, or you two trying to make small-talk," Caleb snarked. America sighed, nodding at the president before returning to his home in the Land In Between.

"Better to have awkward small-talk than more wars," America began. "The arms race is ending. Or will end. So we should work to be on friendlier terms. We don't have to get along, but if we're going to end this… competition, then we need to learn to get along. We've done it before, so it's not impossible."

"Just unlikely," Conch Republic commented. America rolled his eyes.

"Shut up."

#countryhumans #countryhumans america #historical countryhumans #secrecy and deception by weird #countryhumans ussr

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itsyveinthesky · 7 months ago

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The Ukraine missile crisis: Putin’s shadow war against the west finally breaks cover

The unprecedented firing by Ukrainian forces of British-made long-range Storm Shadow missiles at military targets inside Russia last week means the UK, along with the US, is now viewed by Moscow as a legitimate target for punitive, possibly violent retaliation.

In a significant escalation in response to the missile launches, Vladimir Putin confirmed that, for the first time in the war, Russia had fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile, targeting the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Putin also said Russia now believed it had the “right” to attack “military facilities” in countries that supply Kyiv with long-range weapons. Though he did not say so specifically, he clearly meant attacks on the UK and US.

Yet in truth, Britain and its allies have been under constant Russian attack since the war began. Using sabotage, arson, deniable cyber-attacks and aggressive and passive forms of covert “hybrid” and “cognitive” warfare, Putin has tried to impose a high cost for western support of Ukraine.

This largely silent struggle does not yet amount to a conventional military conflict between Nato and its former Soviet adversary. But in an echo of Cuba in 1962, the “Ukraine missile crisis” – fought on land, air and in the dark-web alleyways and byways of a digitised world – points ominously in that direction.

Concern that Russia’s illegal, full-scale 2022 invasion of Ukraine would trigger a wider war has preoccupied western politicians and military planners from the start. The US, UK and EU armed and bankrolled Kyiv and placed unprecedented, punitive sanctions on Moscow.

But US president Joe Biden remained cautious. His primary aim was to contain the conflict. So the convenient fiction developed that the west was not fighting Russia but, rather, helping a sovereign Ukraine defend itself. That illusion was never shared by Moscow.

Biden can do nothing now to halt the war. He had his chance in 2021-2022 and blew it

From the outset, Putin portrayed the war as an existential battle against a hostile, expansionist Nato. Russia was already big on subversion. But as the conflict unfolded, it initiated and now appears to be accelerating a wide array of covert operations targeting western countries.

Biden’s decision on long-range missiles, and Moscow’s furious vow to hit back, has placed this secret campaign under a public spotlight. Russian retaliation may reach new heights. But in truth, Putin’s shadow war was already well under way.

Last week’s severing of Baltic Sea fibre-optic cables linking Finland to Germany and Sweden to Lithuania – all Nato members – is widely regarded as the latest manifestation of Russian hybrid warfare, and a sign of more to come.

Some suggest the damage was accidental. “Nobody believes that,” snarled Boris Pistorius, Germany’s defence minister.

The Yantar, a Russian reconnaissance ship, seen in UK waters this month. Photograph: Dan Rosenbaum/MOD

Earlier this month, a Russian ship, the Yantar – supposedly an “oceanographic research vessel” – had to be militarily escorted out of the Irish Sea. Its unexplained presence there, and previously off North Sea coasts and in the English Channel, where it was accompanied by the Russian navy, has been linked to the proximity of unprotected seabed inter-connector cables carrying global internet traffic between Ireland, the UK, Europe and North America.

Suspected Russian hybrid warfare actions on land, in Europe and the UK, are multiplying in scope and seriousness. They range from large-scale cyber-attacks, as in Estonia, to the concealing of incendiary devices in parcels aboard aircraft in Germany, Poland and the UK.

Western spy agencies point the finger at the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence agency (which was responsible for the 2018 Salisbury poisonings). Naturally, all this is denied by the Kremlin.

It gets even more alarming. In the summer, US and German intelligence agencies reportedly foiled a plot to assassinate top European defence industry executives, in an apparent effort to obstruct arms supplies to Kyiv.

Putin’s agents have been blamed for a wide variety of crimes, from assassinations of regime critics on European soil, such as the 2019 murder in Berlin of a Chechen dissident, to arson – for instance, at a warehouse in east London this year – to the intimidation of journalists and civil rights groups, and the frequent harassment and beating of exiled opponents.

Last month, MI5 head Ken McCallum said the GRU has ‘a sustained mission to generate mayhem on British and European streets’

National infrastructure, elections, institutions and transport systems are all potential targets of hostile online malefactors, information warfare and fake news, as Britain’s NHS discovered in 2017 and the US in 2016 and 2020 during two presidential elections.

Some operations are random; others are carried out for profit by criminal gangs. But many appear to be Russian state-organised. Such provocations are intended to sow chaos, spread fear and division, exacerbate social tensions among Ukraine’s allies and disrupt military supplies.

In January, for example, a group called the Cyber Army of Russia Reborn caused significant damage to water utilities in Texas. Biden administration officials warned at the time that disabling cyber-attacks posed a threat to water supplies throughout the US. “These attacks have the potential to disrupt the critical lifeline of clean and safe drinking water,” state governors were told.

Alerts about Russia’s escalating activities have come thick and fast in recent months. Kaja Kallas, the former Estonian prime minister and newly nominated EU foreign policy chief, spoke earlier this year about what she called Putin’s “shadow war” waged on Europe. “How far do we let them go on our soil?” Kallas asked.

In May, Donald Tusk, Poland’s prime minister, accused Moscow of repeated acts of sabotage. In October, Ken McCallum, head of MI5, said the GRU was engaged in “a sustained mission to generate mayhem on British and European streets”.

Nato’s new secretary-general, Mark Rutte, a former Dutch prime minister, added his voice this month. Moscow, he said, was conducting “an intensifying campaign of hybrid attacks across our allied territories, interfering directly in our democracies, sabotaging industry and committing violence … the frontline in this war is no longer solely in Ukraine.”

People hold portraits of Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, a Chechen dissident, murdered in Berlin in 2019. Photograph: Zurab Kurtsikidze/EPA

When the foreign ministers of Poland, Germany and France – the so-called Weimar Triangle – plus the UK, Italy and Spain met in Warsaw last week, they tried to provide answers. “Moscow’s escalating hybrid activities against Nato and EU countries are unprecedented in their variety and scale, creating significant security risks,” they declared.

But their proposed solution – increased commitment to Europe’s shared security, higher defence spending, more joint capabilities, intelligence pooling, a stronger Nato, a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine and a reinforced transatlantic alliance – was more familiar wishlist than convincing plan of action. Putin is unlikely to be deterred.

Far from it, in fact. Last week’s missiles-related escalation in verbal hostilities has highlighted the Russian leader’s flat refusal to rule out any type of retaliation, however extreme.

His mafioso-like menaces again included a threat to resort to nuclear weapons.

Putin’s very public loosening of Russia’s nuclear doctrine, which now hypothetically allows Moscow to nuke a non-nuclear-armed state such as Ukraine, was a tired propaganda ploy designed to intimidate the west. Putin is evil but he’s not wholly mad. Mutual assured destruction remains a powerful counter-argument to such recklessness.

Putin has other weapons in his box of dirty tricks, including, for example, the seizing of blameless foreign citizens as hostages. This kind of blackmail worked recently when various Russian spies and thugs were released from jail in the west in return for the freeing of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and others.

Putin also has another nuclear card up his sleeve. Greenpeace warned last week that Ukraine’s power network is at “heightened risk of catastrophic failure”. Russian airstrikes aimed at electricity sub-stations were imperilling the safety of the country’s three operational nuclear power plants, the group said. If the reactors lost power, they could quickly become unstable.

And then there is the possibility, floated by analysts, that Russia, by way of retaliation for Biden’s missile green light, could increase support for anti-western, non-state actors, such as the Houthis in Yemen. In a way, this would merely be an extension of Putin’s current policy of befriending “outlaw” states such as Iran and North Korea, both of which are actively assisting his Ukraine war effort.

All of which, taken together, begs a huge question, so far unanswered by Britain and its allies – possibly because it has never arisen before. What is to be done when a major world power, a nuclear-armed state, a permanent member of the UN security council, a country sworn to uphold the UN charter, international human rights treaties and the laws of war, goes rogue?

Putin’s violently confrontational, lawless and dangerous behaviour – not only towards Ukraine but to the west and the international order in general – is unprecedented in modern times. How very ironic, how very chastening, therefore, is the thought that only another rogue – Trump – may have a chance of bringing him to heel.

Biden can do nothing now to halt the war. He had his chance in 2021-2022 and blew it. His missiles, landmines and extra cash have probably come too late. And in two months’ time, he will be gone.

On the other hand, Trump’s warped idea of peace – surrendering one quarter of Ukraine’s territory and barring it from Nato and the EU – may look increasingly attractive to European leaders with little idea how to curb both overt and covert Russian aggression or how to win an unwinnable war on their own.

Putin calculates that Europe, prospectively abandoned by the US, fears a no-longer-hybrid, only too real, all-out war with Russia more than it does the consequences of betraying Ukraine.

Cynical brute that he is, he will keep on clandestinely pushing, probing, provoking and punishing until someone or something breaks – or Trump bails him out.

#russia is a terrorist state #ukraine #russia #europe #us #war in ukraine

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frogblast-the-ventcore · 7 months ago

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Footage of Russian 'Oreshnik' IRBM strike on Dnipro from 2 days ago. 6 warheads each with 6 submunitions, based on looking at the footage frame by frame. Likely a variant of the RS-26 'Rubezh'. It is an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, it is NOT an ICBM. Note that Russian claims of this missile being "hypersonic" are a misnomer, as ALL ballistic missiles are hypersonic by design.

There are no explosions in the footage, which to me indicates the missile was loaded with inert warheads and/or decoys, likely as a test/statement of "look what we can do" more than as a way to majorly damage anything.

It should also be noted that Russia notified the US of the launch, as they do with any launch of a long range ballistic missile, though the US was only given 30 minutes notice.

#russo ukrainian war #war in ukraine #fuck russia #fuck putin #slava ukraini

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acnewsworld · 6 months ago

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Russia’s use of the Oreshnik hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile on the territory of Ukraine has forced London to take a more cautious approach regarding strikes with long-range weapons deep inside Russia, the country’s ambassador to the UK Andrey Kelin said.

“Not that they [London’s representatives] were scared, but overall they realized that a completely new factor had appeared on the scene – that’s the first thing. The second is that we have retaliated for the use of Storm Shadow [long-range missiles] deep inside Russian territory. That’s obvious as well. There is a sense that they are being a little more cautious, a little more balanced in their approach to this issue. And, in fact,

#russian #russian politics #russia #uk news #united kingdom #uk politics #uk #oreshnik #russia ukraine war #russia ukraine conflict #russia ukraine crisis #russia ukraine today

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usafphantom2 · 8 months ago

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F-15E Crews Recall Mission to Repel Iranian Attack on Israel

The 494th Fighter Squadron pilots were recognized for downing several Iranian drones during the attack on Israel in April this year.

David Cenciotti

In the night between April 13 and 14, 2024, Airmen with the 494th Fighter Squadron took part along with other U.S. and allied crews, in the largest air-to-air enemy engagement in over 50 years. In those hours, the Israeli air defenses faced 170 one-way drones, 120 Medium-Range Ballistic Missiles, and 30 Land-Attack Cruise Missiles during an unprecedented attack launched from Iran alongside Houthi terrorist group in Yemen as well as Iranian-backed proxies in Iraq.

The Israelis were supported by U.S., UK and Jordan, to stop the attacks before they could strike their targets. According to the Israeli Defense Forces the surface-to-air air defenses and fighters achieved a 99% success rate against +300 incoming threats, including Shahed 136 one-way attack drones, Paveh land attack cruise missiles and Emad intermediate range ballistic missiles.

F-15E markings

The six F-15E that arrived at RAF Lakenheath on May 8, 2024 (All images: Stewart Jack/The Aviationist)

Among the U.S. assets that helped defend Israel there were the F-15E Strike Eagles from the 494th Fighter Squadron, from RAF Lakenheath, UK, and the 335th Fighter Squadron, from Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, operating as part of the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, respectively, which were praised by President Biden who, on Apr. 15 said: “I spoke with members of the 494th and 335th Fighter Squadrons today to commend them for their exceptional airmanship and skill in defending Israel from an unprecedented aerial attack by Iran. These brave servicemembers make us all proud”.

F-15E Nose art

The nose arts and markings on the final 494th FS F-15E Strike Eagles returning from Jordan in May 2024 (Image, credit: Stewart Jack)

On Nov. 12, 2024, Airmen from the 494th Fighter Squadron and 494th Fighter Generation Squadron were recognized during a ceremony at RAF Lakenheath, UK.

Gen. James Hecker, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa commander, presided over the ceremony along with Col. Jack Arthaud, 48th Fighter Wing commander. During the ceremony, they awarded: two Silver Stars, six Distinguished Flying Crosses with the valor device, four Distinguished Flying Crosses with the combat device, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars, seven Air and Space Commendation Medals and seven Air and Space Achievement Medals.

Here’s what Hecker said:

Our Airmen stood firm alongside our coalition partners to protect Israel from a barrage of one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles. The success of our Airmen demonstrates how the U.S. Air Force is ready to respond to, and defeat, evolving threats.

According to a public statement, the mix of U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and other defensive assets successfully engaged and destroyed more than 80 kamikaze UAVs, out of more than 300 drone and missiles intended to strike Israel

Lt. Col. Timothy Causey, 494th FS commander, in a public statement said his team’s success was due to their ability to remain focused and carry out what they’ve been trained to do.

“We all fell into an execution rhythm: call, shoot, and confirm the target was destroyed before we moved on to the next task we had to accomplish to keep everyone safe.”

F-15E instructor pilot Maj. Benjamin Coffey and instructor weapon systems officer Capt. Lacie Hester received the prestigious Silver Star, the third-highest combat valor award in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Coffey and Hester faced multiple enemy engagements through the night, even while dealing with serious aircraft emergencies and falling debris from hostile fire at their base.

“Although we had intelligence about the number of drones expected, it was still shocking to see them all,” Hester recalled.

In an extraordinary act of bravery, the pair took on low-altitude drones in pitch darkness using the F-15E’s air-to-air Gatling gun after running out of missiles. “It takes a high-performing team to even locate and engage these threats,” Coffey explained, describing how their teamwork and communication were crucial to their success.

This achievement also made history: Hester became the first woman in the Air Force to receive the Silver Star and only the 10th woman in the Department of Defense to earn the award.

Other aircrew who flew that night received Distinguished Flying Crosses for their efforts, which included navigating dangerous airspace filled with active defenses and debris while carrying out their tasks with precision.

The success of the aircrews was made possible by the efforts of the maintainers of the Fighter Generation Squadron (FGS), who ensured the aircraft were combat-ready even under extreme conditions.

“We don’t realize just how much our training pays off until moments like these,” said Tech. Sgt. Adam Johnson, 494th FGS aircraft armament expediter. “When everything became real, we could count on each other to execute automatically, thanks to all the practice we’d done beforehand.”

Over the course of the engagement, the 494th FGS, consisting of 66 Airmen, launched 14 F-15E sorties, including six aircraft scrambled at a moment’s notice, while base defenses simultaneously neutralized enemy threats overhead.

From left, U.S. Air Force Gen. James Hecker, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa commander, Lt. Col. Curtis Culver, 494th Fighter Squadron, Lt. Col. Timothy Causey, 494th FS commander, and Col. Jack Arthaud, 48th Fighter Wing commander, stand during the presentation of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Culver and Causey during a ceremony at RAF Lakenheath, Nov. 12, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Seleena Muhammad-Ali)

“People and the mission—that’s all I could focus on,” said Master Sgt. Timothy Adams, lead production superintendent for the 494th FGS. “Keeping everyone safe and making sure they stayed focused was my priority. I didn’t even have time to look up at what was happening.” For his leadership that night, Adams, along with Maj. Clayton Wicks, was awarded the Bronze Star.

Reflecting on the night, Adams said, “I still get chills thinking about how well everyone came together. I wasn’t the hero; I was just the guy with the radio. It was the whole team—the maintenance crew, weapons specialists, fuels personnel—working seamlessly. No one panicked; no one faltered. How could you not be proud of that?”

The operation’s success was a testament to integrated planning and rigorous training across aircrew, maintenance, logistics, munitions, and intelligence teams—both at home and while deployed.

“I’m incredibly proud of our Liberty Airmen and how they worked alongside our allies to execute the mission that night,” said Col. Jack Arthaud, 48th Fighter Wing commander. “Their success is built on decades of collaboration and joint exercises. We’ll continue to prepare and maintain readiness to fight alongside our partners—anytime, anywhere.”

@TheAviationist.com

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kramlabs · 7 months ago

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Putin statement on the West’s strikes into Russian territory outside the SMO area*

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: I would like to inform the military personnel of the Russian Federation Armed Forces, citizens of our country, our friends across the globe, and those who persist in the illusion that a strategic defeat can be inflicted upon Russia, about the events taking place today in the zone of the special military operation, specifically following the attacks by Western long-range weapons against our territory.

The escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, instigated by the West, continues with the United States and its NATO allies previously announcing that they authorise the use of their long-range high-precision weapons for strikes inside the Russian Federation. Experts are well aware, and the Russian side has repeatedly highlighted it, that the use of such weapons is not possible without the direct involvement of military experts from the manufacturing nations.

On November 19, six ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles produced by the United States, and on November 21, during a combined missile assault involving British Storm Shadow systems and HIMARS systems produced by the US, attacked military facilities inside the Russian Federation in the Bryansk and Kursk regions. From that point onward, as we have repeatedly emphasised in prior communications, the regional conflict in Ukraine provoked by the West has assumed elements of a global nature. Our air defence systems successfully counteracted these incursions, preventing the enemy from achieving their apparent objectives.

The fire at the ammunition depot in the Bryansk Region, caused by the debris of ATACMS missiles, was extinguished without casualties or significant damage. In the Kursk Region, the attack targeted one of the command posts of our group North. Regrettably, the attack and the subsequent air defence battle resulted in casualties, both fatalities and injuries, among the perimeter security units and servicing staff. However, the command and operational staff of the control centre suffered no casualties and continues to manage effectively the operations of our forces to eliminate and push enemy units out of the Kursk Region.

I wish to underscore once again that the use by the enemy of such weapons cannot affect the course of combat operations in the special military operation zone. Our forces are making successful advances along the entire line of contact, and all objectives we have set will be accomplished.

In response to the deployment of American and British long-range weapons, on November 21, the Russian Armed Forces delivered a combined strike on a facility within Ukraine’s defence industrial complex. In field conditions, we also carried out tests of one of Russia’s latest medium-range missile systems – in this case, carrying a non-nuclear hypersonic ballistic missile that our engineers named Oreshnik. The tests were successful, achieving the intended objective of the launch. In the city of Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine, one of the largest and most famous industrial complexes from the Soviet Union era, which continues to produce missiles and other armaments, was hit.

We are developing intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles in response to US plans to produce and deploy intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. We believe that the United States made a mistake by unilaterally destroying the INF Treaty in 2019 under far-fetched pretext. Today, the United States is not only producing such equipment, but, as we can see, it has worked out ways to deploy its advanced missile systems to different regions of the world, including Europe, during training exercises for its troops. Moreover, in the course of these exercises, they are conducting training for using them.

As a reminder, Russia has voluntarily and unilaterally committed not to deploy intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles until US weapons of this kind appear in any region of the world.

To reiterate, we are conducting combat tests of the Oreshnik missile system in response to NATO’s aggressive actions against Russia. Our decision on further deployment of intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles will depend on the actions of the United States and its satellites.

We will determine the targets during further tests of our advanced missile systems based on the threats to the security of the Russian Federation. We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against military facilities of those countries that allow to use their weapons against our facilities, and in case of an escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond decisively and in mirror-like manner. I recommend that the ruling elites of the countries that are hatching plans to use their military contingents against Russia seriously consider this.

It goes without saying that when choosing, if necessary and as a retaliatory measure, targets to be hit by systems such as Oreshnik on Ukrainian territory, we will in advance suggest that civilians and citizens of friendly countries residing in those areas leave danger zones. We will do so for humanitarian reasons, openly and publicly, without fear of counter-moves coming from the enemy, who will also be receiving this information.

Why without fear? Because there are no means of countering such weapons today. Missiles attack targets at a speed of Mach 10, which is 2.5 to 3 kilometres per second. Air defence systems currently available in the world and missile defence systems being created by the Americans in Europe cannot intercept such missiles. It is impossible.

I would like to emphasise once again that it was not Russia, but the United States that destroyed the international security system and, by continuing to fight, cling to its hegemony, they are pushing the whole world into a global conflict.

We have always preferred and are ready now to resolve all disputes by peaceful means. But we are also ready for any turn of events.

If anyone still doubts this, make no mistake: there will always be a response.

Publication date: November 21, 2024, 20:10

*strikes inside Russia's pre-2014 borders

#putin #russia #missile diplomacy #RS-26 #MIRV #Oreshnik #ohSHITnik

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