The use of the ballistic missile on Ukraine is "signaling that Russia has the ability to escalate further" according to Marco Wyss, Professor of International History and Security at Lancaster University. Russia fired the new-generation Oreshnik missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro early Thursday in a major escalation of the weaponry being deployed in the nearly three-year conflict. "We will continue these tests, including in combat conditions, depending on the situation and character of the security threats posted to Russia," Putin said in a televised meeting with military chiefs. SOUNDBITES