Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Friday an escalation in the Ukraine war with plans for mass production of hypersonic missiles.
The decision follows the initial deployment of the new-generation Oreshnik ballistic missile, which was fired at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro early Thursday. This action marks a significant escalation in the weaponry used in the conflict, now approaching its third year.
Putin, during a televised meeting with military chiefs, stated that Moscow would continue to test the Oreshnik missile under combat conditions to respond to security threats against Russia. He emphasized the necessity of serial production of these missiles, which travel at Mach 10—ten times the speed of sound.
Highlighting the missile’s capabilities, Putin described it as a robust guarantee of Russia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. He claimed that Russia possesses a unique technology that other countries have not yet developed, although he acknowledged that similar technologies might emerge abroad in the next couple of years.
The president also linked the use of this advanced missile system to recent attacks using US- and UK-supplied weapons on Russian territory, stating that Russia reserves the right to target military facilities in countries that supply weapons to Ukraine. This statement came during an address where he underscored the rapid escalation of the conflict.
Read: Russia Threatens Retaliation If Ukraine Uses US Long-Range Missiles
Putin’s meeting with defense leaders and missile developers capped a week of intensified military actions in the Ukraine conflict, highlighting the strategic shift in Russia’s approach to the ongoing war.
