Moscow, Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Friday that Russia will continue testing and mass-produce the hypersonic ballistic missile it used in an experimental strike on Ukraine on Thursday. This missile test, which marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict, follows the White House’s authorization for Ukraine to launch long-range missiles into Russian territory.
In a televised meeting with Russia’s defense leadership, Putin claimed that the missile fired at Ukraine was untouchable by any existing air defense systems, boasting that there were currently “no means of countering such a missile” anywhere in the world. He emphasized that the missile would undergo further testing and that a serial production phase would begin soon.
“There are currently no means of countering such a missile, no means of intercepting it, in the world,” Putin said, reinforcing Russia’s commitment to enhancing its military capabilities. “We will continue testing the latest system.”
Putin also revealed that Russia is developing additional systems, which include medium- and shorter-range missile technologies, all of which are intended for future production.
The missile strike on Ukraine’s Dnipro on Thursday involved the “Oreshnik” missile, which, according to reports, carried multiple warheads. This may have been the first operational use of such a missile in combat. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, asserting in a video on Telegram that it reflected Russia’s disregard for human life and freedom.
“Today, our crazy neighbor has once again shown who he really is and how he despises dignity, freedom, and human life in general,” Zelensky said, following the attack.
In response, Ukraine has begun consultations with its allies to develop new air defense systems to counter this latest threat from Russia. Ukrainian officials are particularly concerned about the potential effectiveness of Russia’s new hypersonic missile, which could challenge their defense capabilities.
NATO and Ukraine are set to hold talks next week in light of this development, with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a staunch ally of Ukraine, warning that the conflict is “entering a decisive phase.”
As Russia accelerates its missile production and testing, global tensions continue to mount, with the international community closely monitoring the situation.