Zelensky calls for 'strong' response to Russian hypersonic missile strike

Kyiv, Ukraine (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday 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.

A grab taken from handout footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry on March 1, 2024 purport to show the test firing of an ICBM belonging to the country’s nuclear deterrence forces. – Kyiv accused Russia of launching an intercontinental ballistic missile attack at Ukraine for the first time on November 21, 2024 but without a nuclear warhead in a new escalation of the conflict. (Photo by Russian Defence Ministry / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO / RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY” – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

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.