### Putin Claims Successful Test of New Russian Missile After Western Weapons Aid Ukraine

In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, President Vladimir V. Putin announced on Thursday that Russia had successfully tested a new intermediate-range ballistic missile, named Oreshnik. This test, according to Mr. Putin, was a direct response to Ukraine's recent use of American and British missiles to target areas deep within Russian territory.

The Oreshnik missile reportedly struck a military-industrial complex in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, amidst a series of attacks heightening tensions between the two nations. Mr. Putin described the strike as a demonstration of Russia's capabilities and issued a stern warning to Ukraine's Western allies. He indicated that Russia feels justified in targeting military facilities in countries supplying arms to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian military, having recently received approval to use longer-range missiles from the United States and the United Kingdom, has been executing strikes inside Russian borders. These developments prompted Mr. Putin to lower the threshold for employing nuclear weapons, a move that raises global concerns about the potential for nuclear escalation in the region.

In his rare national address, Mr. Putin's tone was both defiant and threatening. He emphasized Russia's readiness to resolve disputes peacefully but also its preparedness for any scenario. His address seemed tailored not only to Russian citizens and military forces but also to Western nations and global onlookers, reiterating Russia's stance against any strategic defeat.

Ukrainian officials, while acknowledging the missile's impact, did not claim it carried nuclear warheads. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine criticized Mr. Putin, suggesting that Russia is using Ukraine as a "testing ground" for its weapons. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre condemned Russia's actions, noting that the escalation is driven by Moscow.

Experts highlight the significance of deploying a missile from Russia's strategic arsenal, considering it a clear attempt to intimidate Ukraine and its allies. Tom Karako from the Center for Strategic and International Studies underscored the missile's capacity for carrying multiple nuclear warheads and its hypersonic speeds, thus complicating interception efforts.

The situation remains volatile, with Ukraine continuing its defensive strikes despite the challenges posed by Russia's advanced weaponry. Roman Kostenko, chairman of Ukraine's defense and intelligence committee, affirmed that Ukraine remains undeterred in its strategy, despite lacking a comparable missile capability.

As the conflict intensifies, the international community watches closely, concerned about the broader implications of Russia's nuclear saber-rattling and the potential for further escalation in this deeply entrenched war.