Against the backdrop of escalating tensions on the front lines and warnings of impending Russian strikes on Ukraine, an unusual statement was made in Washington. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, despite the acute situation, sent an official message to the Russian people.
A Diplomatic Gesture Amidst Conflict
In his address, Rubio, on behalf of the United States, congratulated Russians on Russia Day. The diplomat emphasized that the American side remains committed to finding a peaceful resolution to the armed conflict between Moscow and Kyiv. The text of the statement expresses hope that peace negotiations will pave the way for a "more prosperous future" for Russian citizens and allow for the building of "more constructive relations" between the two countries.
This gesture came against the backdrop of serious escalation. The Ukrainian Air Force had previously warned of a high probability of Russia using the medium-range ballistic missile "Oreshnik" on Friday, June 12. Residents were urged to be extremely vigilant and to respond to air raid alerts around the clock.
Intelligence and the Threat of a Strike
The situation intensified after an RBC-Ukraine source in the Ukrainian government reported that Kyiv had received information from American partners about the threat of a strike by this specific missile. The "Oreshnik" had already demonstrated its destructive power earlier. On the night of May 24, Russia carried out a massive combined attack, during which 600 drones and 90 missiles were used.
According to the Air Force, the occupiers' arsenal included "Oreshnik" ballistic missiles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later clarified the details of that night: the Russians launched two such missiles. One fell near Bila Tserkva, the other on the temporarily occupied territory of the Donetsk region.
Strike Objectives: "Barns" and Testing
Interest in this missile is also fueled by statements from the Russian side. Vladimir Putin previously stated that the "Oreshnik" strike on an object in the occupied part of the Donetsk region was conducted specifically. According to him, the goal was to check "how the blocks fall," which effectively confirms the use of the missile to test combat effectiveness in real conditions.