The deployment of the 'Oreshnik' missile by Russia marks a significant shift in the military capabilities being utilized in the Ukraine conflict, potentially altering the strategic landscape of the war.
Scholz's insistence on not providing long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine reflects a broader strategy among NATO allies to prevent escalation into a direct conflict with Russia.
As the conflict continues, further military escalations are likely from both sides, particularly as Ukraine seeks to leverage newly acquired long-range capabilities against Russian targets.
The situation may lead to increased diplomatic efforts from Western nations to mediate the conflict, especially if the threat of nuclear escalation becomes more pronounced.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed grave concerns over Russia's recent military escalations in Ukraine, particularly the deployment of a new medium-range missile, termed 'Oreshnik.' Scholz described this development as a 'terrible escalation' in the ongoing conflict, which has now persisted for over 1,000 days. He emphasized the need for Germany to maintain a cautious approach, balancing support for Ukraine while avoiding direct confrontation with NATO forces.
On November 21, Russia confirmed the use of an experimental medium-range ballistic missile during a military operation against Ukraine, which was initially misreported by Ukraine as an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). This missile is capable of reaching targets up to 5,500 kilometers away, raising concerns about potential threats to Western Europe. Putin's announcement of this missile's deployment is seen as a direct response to Ukraine's recent strikes using long-range missiles supplied by the U.S. and the U.K.
Analysts suggest that the recent missile tests and escalations from both Russia and Ukraine indicate a 'controlled escalation' of the conflict. This term reflects the strategic maneuvers by both sides to assert military capabilities without crossing into full-scale nuclear confrontation. Experts believe that while the rhetoric from Moscow has intensified, the actual likelihood of nuclear weapon use remains low, given the current military dynamics favoring Russia.
