Russian President Accuses West of Expanding Conflict
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on Thursday that the Ukraine conflict now has "features of a global conflict" following Western missile attacks on Russia's Kursk and Bryansk regions. In a televised address, Putin emphasized that the West's actions have pushed the crisis beyond regional borders. "The conflict in Ukraine, provoked by the West, has obtained elements of global nature," he said.
Russia's Response to Escalation
Putin vowed that Russia would respond "decisively" to further escalation, including using weapons against military facilities of countries attacking Russian territory. He also confirmed the successful test of a new Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile, framing it as a direct response to "enemy actions."
Security System Under Fire
The Russian leader accused the U.S. of undermining international security, stating, "It is not Russia that is destroying the system, but the United States." The remarks come amid heightened global tensions over the conflict's ripple effects on energy markets and geopolitical alliances.
Western Embassies Close in Kyiv Amid U.S. Attack Alert 
