However, Ukraine has withstood substantially larger attacks and will continue its fight with US support, according to spokesperson Sabrina Singh
Russia’s newly deployed hypersonic missile, according to Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh, poses a threat to Ukraine, but she dismissed President Vladimir Putin’s warnings to NATO as reckless posturing rather than a credible threat.
President Putin announced on Thursday that Russia had used its new hypersonic ballistic missile, the ‘Oreshnik’ (Hazel), against a Ukrainian military industrial facility. This strike, Putin claimed, was a response to NATO’s aggressive actions, warning of potential targeting of military facilities in countries supporting attacks on Russia.
At a subsequent press briefing, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Singh stated that any weapon used on the battlefield presents a danger to Ukraine.
“This is a new, lethal capability deployed in combat, a matter of significant concern. We are monitoring its effects, and it is certainly something that worries us,” Singh told reporters.
“However, Ukraine has endured numerous attacks, including from missiles with far larger warheads. Our support for Ukraine will continue,” she emphasized.
The White House also affirmed that Washington’s commitment to providing military aid to Kyiv remains unwavering, according to spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre.
Earlier this week, Putin announced Russia’s new nuclear doctrine, stating that an attack on Russia by a non-nuclear state aided by a nuclear power would be considered a joint attack. Both the White House and the Pentagon expressed concern over this escalation, while stating that US nuclear posture would remain unchanged.
“We take Russian rhetoric seriously, but our priority remains equipping and supporting Ukraine with what it needs most on the battlefield,” Singh said, highlighting the recent $275 million weapons package for Kyiv and promising further aid in the coming months.
President Biden authorized the use of US Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) within Russia’s pre-2014 borders for the first time this week, although this has yet to receive official confirmation. He also reversed his policy against providing Ukraine with anti-personnel landmines, reinforcing Kyiv’s capabilities before the incoming Trump administration.
Moscow has consistently accused the West of waging a proxy war against Russia using Ukraine. US and UK officials have openly described Ukraine as a Western “” and “”. Even Ukraine’s former Defense Minister, Aleksey Reznikov, described his country as a ideal “” for the “”global military industry””.
Putin described the Oreshnik missile launch, capable of traveling up to 5,000 kilometers at speeds of Mach 10 (2.5-3 kilometers per second), as a successful combat test. Russia will use it, as needed, to respond decisively to aggression, with prior warning to civilians, “”without fear of enemy countermeasures.””
“Why no fear? Because there are no countermeasures to this weapon,” Putin asserted. “Existing air and missile defense systems, including those the Americans are developing in Europe, cannot intercept these missiles.”