Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has expressed that Moscow is prepared to use "any means" necessary to defend itself in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, following its recent use of a hypersonic missile. Lavrov said that Russia’s deployment of the Oreshnik hypersonic missile was intended to send a strong message to the West, signaling that Moscow is determined to avoid any "strategic defeat."

In an interview on December 6, 2024, Lavrov explained that the missile launch was aimed at demonstrating Russia's readiness to defend its interests. He also emphasized that the use of such weapons should be taken seriously by Ukraine’s allies.

The Oreshnik missile, which Russia fired at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro last month, was described by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a weapon that cannot be intercepted. Putin further stated that Russia could use similar missiles in combat if needed.

Lavrov also warned the United States and its allies not to underestimate Russia’s resolve. "We would be ready to use any means to prevent them from succeeding in their efforts to strategically defeat Russia," he said in the interview with US media personality Tucker Carlson.

While Russia has stated it does not want to escalate the war further, Lavrov warned that if the West does not take these warnings seriously, Russia would send more "messages" in the future.

The Oreshnik missile flies at ten times the speed of sound, making it nearly impossible to intercept by current air defense systems. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strike, calling it a sign of "Russian madness," and appealed for advanced air-defense systems to protect Ukraine.

Lavrov also addressed Moscow's position on a potential peace deal, stating that Russia is open to negotiations but insists on respecting its security interests. He mentioned that Ukraine would need to accept Russia’s control over the regions of Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk, and Zaporizhzhia, which Russia now claims as part of its territory.

On other international issues, Lavrov criticized the United States for escalating the conflict in Ukraine and described US President Joe Biden's administration as attempting to leave a "legacy" that could hurt the next US administration. He also spoke positively of US President-elect Donald Trump, calling him a "strong person" who seeks results.

In the interview, Lavrov also condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling them "collective punishment" and a violation of international humanitarian law. He expressed concerns over the recent violence in Syria and plans to discuss the situation with Turkish and Iranian officials in the coming days.