Ukraine's missile use prompts Russia to target UK and US for retaliation
Ukraine's recent use of British-made Storm Shadow missiles against Russian military targets has led Moscow to declare the UK and US as legitimate targets for retaliation. Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Russia has fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile at Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in the conflict. Putin's comments suggest a shift in Russia's approach, claiming the right to attack military facilities in countries supplying Ukraine with long-range weapons. This follows a pattern of covert operations by Russia against Western nations, including cyber-attacks and sabotage, which have been ongoing since the war began. Recent incidents, such as the severing of undersea cables and increased Russian military activity near European waters, highlight the growing threat. Western leaders are now acknowledging the scale of Russia's hybrid warfare, but their responses have been largely focused on increased defense spending and security commitments rather than concrete actions.