Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the readiness of a powerful new missile, the Oreshnik, to be used again in “combat conditions.” The statement follows Russia’s recent launch of the missile, which struck the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, intensifying the ongoing conflict.
In an unscheduled televised address, Putin claimed the Oreshnik hypersonic missile is “impossible to intercept” and revealed plans for further tests and production. He described its deployment as a response to Ukraine’s use of advanced Western missiles, including the U.S. Atacms and U.K.’s Storm Shadow.
Thursday’s attack on Dnipro, marked by hours of explosions, showcased the missile’s unprecedented power. Ukrainian officials likened its impact to that of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Military analysts, including Justin Crump of the risk advisory firm Sibylline, suggested the strike was intended as a warning, underscoring the missile’s capacity to challenge Ukraine’s air defenses significantly.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike and called for a robust international response, urging world leaders to impose “real consequences” on Russia. Zelensky also renewed appeals for advanced air defense systems from Western allies, including the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and upgraded Patriot systems.
The escalation has drawn global reactions, with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warning of a decisive stage in the war that risks global conflict. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban urged the West to take Putin’s threats “at face value,” while North Korean leader Kim Jong Un accused the U.S. of hostile policies and claimed the threat of nuclear war had never been greater. North Korean troops, reportedly fighting alongside Russian forces, have been involved in clashes with Ukrainian troops in Russia’s Kursk region.
U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed his approval for Ukraine’s use of longer-range Atacms missiles within Russian territory in response to Russia’s reliance on North Korean forces.
The war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has become increasingly volatile as both sides seek battlefield advantages ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s January inauguration. Trump has vowed to end the conflict swiftly but has yet to outline specific plans.
In his nightly address, Zelensky criticized China’s restrained response to Moscow’s new missile deployment, accusing Russia of mocking nations calling for de-escalation. He also reprimanded Ukraine’s parliament for postponing its Friday session over security concerns, urging officials to “serve and work” despite threats. “The siren sounds—we go to shelter. When there is no siren—we work. There is no other way in war,” Zelensky stated in a Telegram post.
As tensions rise, the international community watches closely, with the potential for further escalation looming large.
