23-11-2024 (MOSCOW) Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared Russia’s intention to continue combat testing its new Oreshnik hypersonic missile system, whilst maintaining a ready stockpile for deployment, following its first combat use against Ukraine this week.
The Russian leader’s announcement on Friday came as Ukrainian authorities scrambled to develop countermeasures against what they describe as an escalating threat. The missile, whose name translates to “hazel tree” in English, was launched at Ukraine’s central city of Dnipro in what Moscow claimed was retaliation for recent Ukrainian strikes using British and American-supplied missiles.
According to Ukrainian intelligence sources, the sophisticated weapon demonstrated remarkable capabilities, sustaining flight for 15 minutes at speeds exceeding Mach 11. The missile reportedly carried six warheads, each containing multiple submunitions, marking a significant technological advancement in Russia’s arsenal.
“Combat testing will continue based on security threats to Russia,” Putin stated during televised remarks, emphasising the availability of additional missiles for deployment.
The missile launch prompted unprecedented security measures in Kyiv, with Parliament suspending its session and several foreign embassies temporarily ceasing operations. The response drew mixed reactions from Ukrainian officials, with MP Oleksiy Goncharenko criticising the security shutdown as “ridiculous” and potentially fuelling public anxiety.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded firmly to the escalation, revealing ongoing discussions with Western partners regarding new air defence capabilities. “When a nation uses other countries not only for terror but as testing grounds for new missiles through acts of terror, this clearly constitutes an international crime,” Zelenskyy declared in his evening address.
The Kremlin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed that Russia had provided the United States with 30 minutes’ notice before the launch, whilst maintaining that this courtesy was not obligatory. He further emphasised Putin’s continued openness to dialogue, despite what he characterised as US President Biden’s preference for “escalation.”
NATO has scheduled an emergency meeting with Ukraine for Tuesday to discuss the missile strike and its implications for regional security.
