Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that the country possesses a stockpile of advanced hypersonic missiles, ready for deployment in combat. In an unexpected televised address on Friday, November 22, he vowed to conduct further tests of the missile. This statement comes a day after Russia launched a new ballistic missile targeting Ukraine’s Dnipro city, according to the BBC.
The announcement follows Ukraine’s use of American and British missiles to strike targets inside Russia for the first time, escalating tensions in the ongoing conflict. The deployment of Russia’s “Oreshonik” hypersonic missile earlier this week has further intensified the situation on the battlefield.
During his speech, Putin declared that the “Oreshonik” missile is invincible, moving at speeds ten times faster than sound. He stated that the missile is ready for production and deployment. Earlier, Putin attributed its use to counter Ukraine’s deployment of Storm Shadow and ATACMS missiles.
Initially believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Moscow later clarified that the missile is part of a new generation of hypersonic ballistic weapons, capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
The “Oreshonik” missile, according to Putin, is a medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile. However, NATO and U.S. sources classify it as a medium-range ballistic missile with the capability to strike targets up to 5,500 kilometers away.
Justin Crump, CEO of Sibylline Risk Advisory, remarked that Moscow’s deployment of the missile serves as a warning. He added that the missile’s extraordinary speed and advanced technology could pose significant challenges to Ukraine’s air defense systems.
