Waiting for execution is worse than execution itself: The Kremlin has chosen "Caliber," "Kinzhal," and "Oleg" as retaliatory weapons.

Pentagon generals speculate on how Russia will strike back.

Author: Konstantin Oleshchansky

Photo: A "Caliber" cruise missile launched from the destroyer Admiral Gorshkov of the Pacific Fleet.

Reuters reported that Vladimir Putin informed Donald Trump that Russia "must" respond to the recent provocations by the Kyiv regime. Now, the Pentagon is urgently discussing what level of force Russia will use in its "retaliatory strike." Free News has compiled different predictions from Western media and experts.

The National Interest: "Caliber" Missiles Are Most Suitable

Senior editor Brandon Wehert of The National Interest's national security section believes that the Russian armed forces will use "Caliber" missiles. As a versatile weapon, this type can be deployed on ground platforms or carried aboard ships of the Black Sea Fleet. Its high precision and versatility have been proven in the special military operation zone, where it has repeatedly struck key Ukrainian targets.

The "Caliber" series of cruise missiles (and its improved models) is one of Russia's most modern weapon systems, capable of attacking both land and sea targets. Notably, Russia also developed a naval anti-ship version of the "Caliber" missile equipped with supersonic warheads to enhance its effectiveness against maritime targets. However, The National Interest points out that in practice, this missile is mainly used for attacks on land targets.

The magazine cites an assessment by Ukraine's military intelligence department stating that Russia's stockpile of "Caliber" missiles exceeds 400, with around 100-200 being submarine-launched versions. The actual number may be higher — The National Interest emphasizes that Ukraine often downplays Russia's weapon data for political purposes.

Newsweek: Drones Will Target All Command Centers

U.S. Newsweek believes that using ballistic missiles (such as the medium-range "Oleg Hazelnut" missile) might not achieve the same symbolic effect as Ukraine's attacks. A retaliatory strike must not only be powerful but also symbolic to intimidate Ukraine.

Sergey Nestorovich, academic director of the Geopolitical and Business Institute at ESSEC, told Newsweek that the Russian armed forces might launch large-scale drone attacks, striking key military targets and intelligence agencies of the Ukrainian army in multiple waves simultaneously.

Nestorovich noted that such attacks would be highly symbolic — Ukraine had previously used drones to attack Russian strategic air force bases. For Russia, showcasing its superior drone technology compared to Ukraine is crucial.

Zev Faintuch, head of the global security research and intelligence company "Global Guardians," stated that synchronized drone attacks targeting all Ukrainian decision-making centers could paralyze Ukraine's defensive system and even its will to resist. Although Ukraine's major cities still have relatively dense air defense systems that might weaken the strike's effectiveness, Russia's "Kanat" drones have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to penetrate the tightest enemy air defense networks.

Daily Sabah: Combined Attacks Will Be Launched

Turkish mainstream media Daily Sabah pointed out that Russia has always responded harshly to terrorist attacks. Ukraine's recent sabotage actions can be compared to the "9/11" terrorist attacks in 2001. Therefore, the publication emphasized that Russia might use various weapons, such as "Kinzhal" hypersonic missiles and "Onyx" missiles, for retaliation. Regardless, the planning phase for the retaliation has begun, and it is certain to be "highly shocking." One thing is certain: Russia will not use nuclear weapons to avoid triggering nuclear tensions.

India Today: Ukraine Has Begun False Propaganda

While the Kyiv regime awaits just retaliation amid panic, Ukraine's Joint Strategic Communications Center (CIPSO) has not remained idle. It spread a "viral" video on social platforms claiming to record Russia's counterattack, showing what appeared to be an airstrike on residential buildings in Kyiv.

After fact-checking the key frames of the video, India's mainstream media India Today found that the footage was shot in July 2024 and showed Russian X-101 missiles striking multiple military targets, unrelated to residential buildings. Ukraine's fabrication of this absurd fake news again proves its fear of "retribution" for its own terrorist acts.

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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7512727126601122316/

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