President Putin reaffirmed the continuation of Oreschnik missile tests amid combat conditions, highlighting its advanced capabilities. The missile, achieving hypersonic speeds, poses a significant threat, capable of targeting Europe with precision. Ukrainian President Zelensky advocates for enhanced air defense systems, condemning the missile’s use as an international crime. NATO plans a council meeting to address the situation following a recent missile strike on Dnipro, while the UN calls for urgent de-escalation of tensions.
Putin’s Announcement on Oreschnik Missile Tests
In a recent televised meeting with military officials, President Vladimir Putin emphasized the continuation of missile tests, including the Oreschnik, even under combat conditions. He stated, “We will continue these tests, depending on the situation and the nature of the threats to Russia’s security.” Additionally, he confirmed the commencement of serial production for the Oreschnik missiles.
The Significance of the Oreschnik Missile
The Oreschnik missile, named after the German word for hazel, represents a significant advancement in Russian engineering, moving beyond mere Soviet-era technology. Putin expressed pride in the missile’s capabilities, highlighting that its effectiveness rivals that of strategic weapons systems. He clarified that the Oreschnik is not categorized as a strategic weapon or a weapon of mass destruction, as it can be deployed with high precision.
According to Russian military sources, the Oreschnik missile can achieve hypersonic speeds, making it nearly impossible for air defense systems to intercept. Sergei Karakaev, the head of Russia’s strategic missile forces, mentioned that this missile’s range allows it to hit targets across Europe, positioning it uniquely compared to other long-range precision weapons. The missile can be armed with either conventional or nuclear warheads, and Karakaev claimed it is invulnerable to air defense measures.
On the other side, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is advocating for the development of air defense systems to counter these new threats. He stressed the need for a robust international response to Russia’s deployment of the medium-range missile, asserting that using such “new terror weapons” against another nation constitutes an international crime.
In response to the situation, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has called for a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council. This gathering, scheduled for Tuesday in Brussels, aims to address the recent Russian missile attack on Dnipro, where the Oreschnik missile was deployed. The meeting was organized at Kyiv’s request and will involve discussions at the ambassadorial level, continuing efforts to enhance collaboration until Ukraine can fulfill its NATO membership aspirations, contingent upon an end to the conflict and necessary reforms.
Following the missile’s launch, Ukrainian intelligence revealed that the Oreschnik reached speeds exceeding eleven times the speed of sound during its flight from Astrakhan to Dnipro, taking just 15 minutes to reach its target. The missile reportedly carried six warheads, each containing six submunitions. Zelensky has called for a decisive international response, labeling the attack a serious escalation and a blatant violation of international law.
The United Nations has expressed concern over this escalation, with spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric urging all parties to take immediate steps to de-escalate the rising tensions. He stated, “All of this is going in the wrong direction. What we want to see is that all parties urgently take steps to de-escalate the situation.”