The use of Western weapons by Ukraine on Russian territory remains a contentious issue among Kyiv's Western allies.
Reaching France in 3 Minutes
Moscow has responded aggressively, with Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma, threatening the deployment of the SS-18 "Satan" missile, capable of reaching Strasbourg, France, in just over three minutes. This statement was reported by the Ukrainian agency Unian and WP.
Volodin emphasized that Russia would deliver a severe response should Ukraine be allowed to strike deeper into Russian territory using Western arms. His remarks came after the European Parliament suggested that Ukraine could be granted permission to use such weaponry.
He cautioned that "no one should have any illusions" about the gravity of the situation, underlining the seriousness of potential military escalation.
4.35 Miles Per Second
The Russian politician posed critical questions to European lawmakers, asking if the decision to allow strikes had been communicated to voters and whether they were prepared for the possibility of war reaching their own homes. He invoked lessons from World War II to underscore the consequences of such decisions.
The RS-28 "Satan" missile, mentioned by Volodin, is a formidable weapon. It measures 35.3 meters in length, weighs 208 tons, and can carry between 10 to 15 nuclear warheads over a distance of 11,200 miles.
With speeds of up to 15,500 miles per hour, it travels approximately 7 kilometers per second (4.35 Miles Per Second) and can maneuver during flight, making interception extremely difficult.
The missile's destructive capacity is immense, with the potential to devastate areas the size of France or Texas. Russia is the sole nation with access to this class of weaponry, intensifying fears of an escalating conflict in the region.
