Russia’s use of an experimental ballistic missile “will not change the course of the conflict or deter NATO allies from supporting Ukraine,” NATO spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah said on November 21.
The statement followed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement that Russia had launched its latest intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), called "Oreshnik," in an attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro.
The missile was reportedly used in retaliation for Ukraine’s strikes on Russian territory using Western-supplied long-range weapons.
Russia’s Strikes and Ukraine’s Response
“The attack on Dnipro is yet another example of Russia targeting Ukrainian cities,” Dakhlallah said, according to reports by The Guardian and AFP.
Putin claimed the strike was in response to Ukraine targeting facilities in Russia’s regions with newly supplied Western weaponry.
On November 17, U.S. President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles to strike deep into Russian territory. Ukraine followed suit, launching ATACMS missiles in Russia’s Bryansk Oblast on November 19.
Just a day later, Ukraine used UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles for the first time.
The Kremlin has previously labeled such moves as crossing "red lines," with Putin vowing to respond.
Political Signal, Not Military Impact
Fabian Hoffmann, a defense expert at the University of Oslo, told the Kyiv Independent that the strike using the Oreshnik missile was unlikely to be of military significance. Instead, it appeared to be a political message aimed at the West.
“They may have considered testing a nuclear warhead, as some rumors suggested, but likely avoided that due to the potential backlash, especially from partners like China and India,” Hoffmann said.
Using the new missile, Hoffmann explained, was seen as a less provocative way to demonstrate Russia’s capabilities. “This strike was not about military value—it was purely a political move.”
Despite these efforts by Russia to showcase its advanced weaponry, NATO remains firm in its support for Ukraine.
Dakhlallah emphasized that such tactics would not weaken NATO allies' resolve or undermine their commitment to assisting Ukraine in its defense against aggression.
