Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that his country has a stockpile of advanced new missiles ready for deployment, following the recent use of the Oreshnik ballistic missile in an attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. In an unexpected television address, Putin claimed that the Oreshnik missile is invulnerable to interception and vowed to conduct further tests, including under “combat conditions.”
The use of the Oreshnik missile marked a significant escalation in the ongoing war. The attack, which triggered hours of explosions, was described by eyewitnesses as extraordinary, with Ukrainian officials likening the missile’s impact to that of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Military analysts believe the strike served as a warning from Moscow, demonstrating the missile’s advanced capabilities and its potential to challenge Ukraine’s air defenses.
This escalation comes amid Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied Atacms and British Storm Shadow missiles against Russian targets, marking the first instance of Western weapons being used on Russian soil. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on global leaders to take decisive action in response to Putin’s aggression, emphasizing the need for updated air defense systems. Kyiv is reportedly seeking the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system or upgrades to its Patriot missile defense systems.
Putin justified the missile deployment as a reaction to Ukraine’s intensified attacks. He ordered the Oreshnik missiles, capable of flying at 10 times the speed of sound, into production. Meanwhile, Zelensky condemned Moscow’s actions as a mockery of calls for peace from countries like China, which urged restraint.
The escalation has drawn international concern. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned of the growing risk of a global conflict, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban urged the West to take Putin’s warnings seriously, highlighting Russia’s reliance on military power. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also criticized U.S. policies, warning of an unprecedented nuclear threat and confirming North Korea’s military support for Russia, including deploying troops to the conflict.
U.S. President Joe Biden acknowledged Ukraine’s use of long-range Atacms missiles in response to Russia’s cooperation with North Korea. Both countries remain locked in intense battles, with each seeking to gain a strategic advantage before the possible return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency in January. Trump has pledged to end the war swiftly, though specifics of his plan remain unclear.
Amid these developments, Zelensky criticized Ukraine’s parliament for postponing a session due to security concerns following the Dnipro attack. Urging resilience, he stated, “When the siren sounds, we go to shelter. When there is no siren, we work and serve. There is no other way in war.”
The situation underscores the growing complexity of the conflict, with heightened risks of regional and global repercussions.
