Russia’s use of a hypersonic missile in Ukraine prompts China’s call for restraint, as global tensions escalate.
At a Glance
- Russia claims to have disrupted Ukraine’s military objectives for 2025 with a hypersonic missile strike
- China urges calm and restraint from all parties involved in the conflict
- Putin warns of potential strikes on Western countries, describing the conflict as “global”
- NATO members view China’s neutral stance with caution, labeling it a “decisive enabler” of the war
Russia’s Missile Strike Escalates Conflict
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a strike on a Ukrainian military facility using a new hypersonic ballistic missile called “Oreshnik.” This move has significantly escalated tensions in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The missile attack targeted an aerospace manufacturing plant in Dnipro, drawing swift condemnation from Kyiv’s allies and raising concerns about the potential for further escalation. The attack comes after President Biden approved Ukrainian strikes in Russia using long range U.S. weapons and President Putin altered Russia’s nuclear doctrine.
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov claimed that the Russian strike had a devastating impact on Ukraine’s military capabilities. According to Belousov, “We have, in fact, derailed the entire 2025 campaign.” This statement suggests that Russia believes it has significantly weakened Ukraine’s long-term military objectives.
Kyiv Says Russia Launched ICBM for 1st Time as Ukraine Uses U.S.- & U.K.-Supplied Missiles in Russia https://t.co/YISTgvUqAB
— Democracy Now! (@democracynow) November 21, 2024
China’s Call for Restraint
In response to the escalating situation, China has reiterated its call for calm and restraint from all parties involved in the conflict. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated, “All parties should remain calm and exercise restraint, work to de-escalate the situation through dialogue and consultation, and create conditions for an early ceasefire.”
China's position on the #Ukraine issue is consistent and clear, and China advocates for resolving the crisis through political means and avoiding escalation of the situation. In the current situation, all parties should remain calm and restrained, work to de-escalate tensions… pic.twitter.com/UrPkOHP81M
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) November 22, 2024
While China presents itself as a neutral party in the conflict, its position has been met with skepticism from NATO members. Some Western nations have labeled China a “decisive enabler” of the war, pointing to Beijing’s close economic and political ties with Moscow. Despite these concerns, China maintains that it is not providing lethal assistance to Russia and continues to advocate for a political resolution to the war.
International Reactions and Concerns
The use of the hypersonic missile has drawn strong reactions from the international community. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized Russia’s missile deployment as a “terrible escalation.” The United States, United Kingdom, and European Union have all condemned Putin’s actions, with particular concern over a recent decree allowing Russia to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states supported by nuclear powers.
The situation remains tense, with NATO and Ukraine planning talks in Brussels regarding the missile strike. As the conflict continues to evolve, the international community is watching closely, hoping for a de-escalation of hostilities and a return to diplomatic negotiations.
