Kremlin Vows “Definite” Retaliation in Response to Ukrainian Strike on Taganrog Military Airfield

Russia has vowed retaliation in response to a Ukrainian attack on a military airfield in Taganrog in the Rostov region on December 11.

Russia’s Bryansk and Rostov regions faced overnight attacks involving drones and missiles, causing fires and significant damage at key industrial sites. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that Ukraine attacked the airfield in Taganrog using six US-manufactured ATACMS missiles.

“A response will follow when and in a manner deemed appropriate,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, “It will definitely happen.”

On November 21, Russian leader Vladimir Putin delivered an address on national TV regarding the use of Western weapons against Russian targets. He stated that the use of Western weapons–such as ATACMS–against Russian territory would be met with retaliatory measures, most notably the hypersonic intercontinental ballistic missile Oreshnik, with which Putin has repeatedly threatened Kyiv.

“Tests of the Oreshnik missile system under combat conditions are being conducted in response to NATO's aggressive actions toward Russia,” he stated in the address, “there will always be a response.”

On December 11, US officials warned Kyiv that Russia could be preparing to launch another hypersonic ballistic missile at Ukraine in the coming days.

“Russia has signaled its intent to launch another experimental Oreshnik missile at Ukraine, potentially in the coming days,” an official said, “However, this missile is not a battlefield game-changer but an effort to intimidate Ukraine and its allies. The Oreshnik, with its smaller warhead and limited availability, is unlikely to alter the course of the conflict.”