President Vladimir Putin warned that Russia's defense ministry is exploring various responses if the U.S. and NATO allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory with Western long-range missiles, escalating tensions in the ongoing conflict.

President Vladimir Putin stated on Sunday that Russia's defense ministry is developing various response options if the United States and NATO support Ukraine in carrying out deep strikes into Russian territory using Western-supplied long-range missiles.

The 2.5-year conflict in Ukraine has intensified tensions between Russia and the West, marking the most significant standoff since the Cold War. Russian officials warn that the war is entering a more dangerous phase.

Russia has been cautioning the U.S. and its allies for weeks, suggesting that allowing Ukraine to conduct strikes within Russian borders with Western missiles would be seen as a major escalation.

Putin previously stated on September 12 that approving such actions would imply "direct involvement of NATO countries, the United States, and European nations in the Ukraine war" due to the necessary participation of NATO infrastructure and personnel in planning and launching the strikes.

While Putin indicated it was too early to specify Russia's exact response, he emphasized that Moscow would take necessary action and that multiple options are being considered.

As Russia advances rapidly in eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been urging Western allies to permit Kyiv to target deep into Russia using Western missile systems.

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