Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs The United States has warned that Russia may deploy its new intermediate-range ballistic missile, the Oreshnik, against Ukraine in the “coming days.”This follows a U.S. intelligence assessment suggesting the weapon could be used as part of Moscow’s escalating military efforts.U.S. officials have characterized the Oreshnik as a psychological weapon with limited battlefield impact, emphasizing its smaller warhead compared to other missiles regularly deployed by Russia.Battlefield Escalations and Strategic ImplicationsThe Oreshnik missile, first used in a Nov. 21 strike on Dnipro, marks a concerning escalation in Russia’s arsenal. Surveillance footage captured fireballs hitting the ground with extraordinary speed.Russian President Vladimir Putin touted the missile’s capabilities on national television, warning NATO allies of potential strikes against those enabling Ukrainian long-range attacks.
Journalists at a center for forensic analysis in an undisclosed location in Ukraine on Nov. 24, 2024, film fragments of what authorities in Kyiv described as a Russian hypersonic missile that struck a factory in…
Journalists at a center for forensic analysis in an undisclosed location in Ukraine on Nov. 24, 2024, film fragments of what authorities in Kyiv described as a Russian hypersonic missile that struck a factory in Dnipro, Ukraine, on Nov. 21. On Wednesday, a U.S. intelligence assessment has concluded that Russia may use its lethal new intermediate-range ballistic missile against Ukraine again in “coming days.”
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Evgeniy Maloletka/AP Photo
The missile’s deployment coincides with Putin’s updated nuclear doctrine, which lowers the threshold for Moscow’s use of nuclear weapons, including in response to conventional attacks supported by nuclear powers.The Pentagon confirmed the Oreshnik as an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) derived from the RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Such weapons were banned under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty until its collapse in 2019. With a range of 310 to 3,400 miles, the Oreshnik adds a new layer of complexity to the nearly three-year conflict.Aid Packages and US Policy ShiftsIn response to Russia’s intensifying attacks, the Biden administration has announced nearly $1 billion in additional aid for Ukraine, including counter-drone systems and long-range munitions.This adds to the $62 billion in U.S. military aid provided since the invasion began in February 2022. The package reflects ongoing support, despite President-elect Donald Trump’s recent calls for reduced military aid to Ukraine and immediate ceasefire negotiations.Trump, set to take office next month, has suggested Kyiv should prepare for diminished U.S. assistance. “Zelensky and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness,” Trump posted on social media, signaling a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy that could affect the trajectory of the conflict.
Fragments of what authorities in Kyiv described as a Russian hypersonic missile that struck a factory in Dnipro, Ukraine, on Nov. 21, 2024. According to one U.S. official, the experimental Oreshnik missile is seen more…
Fragments of what authorities in Kyiv described as a Russian hypersonic missile that struck a factory in Dnipro, Ukraine, on Nov. 21, 2024. According to one U.S. official, the experimental Oreshnik missile is seen more as an attempt at intimidation than a game-changer on the battlefield in Ukraine.
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Evgeniy Maloletka/AP Photo
Tensions and Prospects for NegotiationsThe war has reached a critical juncture while both sides vie for leverage in anticipated winter negotiations.Western allies have floated the possibility of peace talks, but fighting has intensified as Ukraine seeks to solidify gains and Russia deploys increasingly aggressive measures. The Biden administration’s support remains firm, but Trump’s impending inauguration raises questions about future U.S. commitments.This evolving situation underscores the precarious balance of military strategy and diplomatic maneuvering as the war approaches its fourth year.This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
