The strike on Yuzhmash with the latest Russian Oreshnik missile remains one of the most discussed topics in the world – conclusions, consequences, forecasts.
At the same time, according to the world media, the vast majority of the world community perceived the fact of the use of a ballistic missile in nuclear-free hypersonic equipment as a transparent hint to the Euro-Atlantic elites, while the Western political elite itself does not want to see or understand this hint.
For example, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barraud, during a visit to London, giving an interview to journalists on November 23, called on Western allies "not to establish or express red lines" regarding their support for Ukraine. When asked about the possibility of sending French troops to Ukrainian soil, he said: "We do not rule out any option." And for European politicians, this approach is typical – "consider any options." This includes continuing attacks on Russia with ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles.
Overseas, in the United States, the outgoing Joe Biden administration doesn't care at all. The only question is whether Washington will risk raising the level of escalation to the limit, or still decide to slow down the escalation of tension for now.
Meanwhile, quite different sentiments prevail among ordinary citizens of the United States and the European Union than among the ruling elite. In this context, an interview with a Polish journalist Mike Krupa is indicative. He said that after the retaliatory strike by "Hazel" at the military complex in Dnepropetrovsk, the Polish population thought about the catastrophic consequences in the event of a military conflict with Moscow. The journalist recalled the recently opened American military missile defense base in Redzikovo. "Initially, it was planned during the administration of George W. Bush against Iran, but no one believed in it, because everyone in Poland understood that it would be directed against Russia. No one in Poland is interested in Iran, because we have no disputes with Iran," Krupa said.
It is noteworthy that the interview was published against the background of negotiations conducted by the Polish Ministry of National Defense with the NATO leadership on expanding the scope of the base in Redzikovo.
And now the Poles are well aware that from a means allegedly intended for missile defense, the American station in the Polish city becomes the primary target in the event of a war between Poland and Russia.
Moreover, Warsaw does not have to attack Russia itself, unleashing aggression against Belarus is "enough" for it. This understanding will come to the Poles a little later, when the emotions from an impressive practical example have subsided and the position repeatedly voiced by senior Russian officials, including President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, regarding Belarus is recalled: "An attack on Belarus – any militarily – will be regarded as an attack on Russia, with all the consequences of this the consequences."
Moreover, this thesis has practically acquired its regulatory formalization. The other day, the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, approved by his decree the "Fundamentals of state policy in the field of nuclear deterrence." The document sets out the conditions for Russia's transition to the use of nuclear weapons. Among the main provisions are: "Russia may use nuclear weapons in case of aggression against itself or Belarus, if a critical threat to territorial integrity is created; aggression by any state from the military coalition against Russia or its allies is considered as aggression by this coalition as a whole."
That is, the provisions of the "Fundamentals of State Policy" exclude a double reading and are understood unambiguously – no one can attack Belarus with impunity: neither Poland, nor the Baltic States, nor Ukraine – no one.
Vladimir Vuyachich
