Moscow, November 22, 2024 – The Europe Today: Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday the successful deployment of a cutting-edge intermediate-range ballistic missile, named ‘Oreshnik’ (‘Hazel’), in a strike on a military industrial facility in Dnipro, Ukraine. Describing the operation as a “combat test,” Putin stated that the hypersonic missile targeted a major facility linked to missile production, reportedly Yuzhmash, a Soviet-era aerospace manufacturer.
The strike was framed as a response to recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian military sites in the Kursk Region, allegedly carried out with U.S.-made ATACMS and HIMARS systems and British Storm Shadow missiles. Putin claimed these attacks, authorized by Western allies, signify a shift in the Ukraine conflict towards a more global dimension.
Putin emphasized the technological superiority of the ‘Oreshnik’ missile, which travels at speeds of 2.5-3 kilometers per second, rendering it immune to existing air defense systems. He also pledged to pre-announce future strikes using this missile system for “humanitarian reasons,” enabling civilian evacuations while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Ukraine’s Air Force confirmed the Russian missile strike on Dnipro, which reportedly involved multiple weapon types, including a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and Kh-101 cruise missiles. While Ukraine claims to have intercepted six cruise missiles, it has not disclosed the full extent of casualties or damage.
Putin linked the missile tests to NATO’s perceived aggression and Washington’s withdrawal from the 1987 INF Treaty, accusing the U.S. of escalating global missile deployments. He asserted Russia’s right to respond decisively to any perceived security threats, warning of further tests based on threat assessments.
While reiterating Moscow’s willingness to pursue peaceful resolutions, Putin stressed that Russia remains prepared for escalations, ensuring “a decisive mirror-like response” to adversarial actions
