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Russia has a stock of advanced new missiles "ready for use," President Vladimir Putin announced, a day after the country deployed a new ballistic missile in an attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, reports UNB with inputs from BBC.
In an unscheduled televised address, Putin revealed that the Oreshnik missile, touted as being impossible to intercept, will undergo further tests, including under "combat conditions."
The missile's deployment marks an escalation in the conflict, which also saw Ukraine use US and British missiles to strike Russian territory for the first time this week.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged global leaders to deliver a "serious response" to Putin's actions, stressing the need for the Russian leader to "face real consequences." Zelensky also appealed for enhanced air defense systems from Western allies, including the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) or upgraded Patriot missile systems, according to Interfax-Ukraine.
In his address, Putin claimed the hypersonic Oreshnik missiles, capable of traveling at 10 times the speed of sound, would soon enter mass production. He framed their deployment as a response to Ukraine's use of Storm Shadow and Atacms missiles.
Thursday's strike on Dnipro was notable for its intensity, with eyewitnesses reporting three hours of continuous explosions. Ukrainian officials described the missile’s power as akin to an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
The week’s developments have sparked warnings from international leaders about the potential for broader conflict.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that the war had reached a decisive phase with a heightened risk of global escalation. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban advised taking Putin’s warnings "seriously," citing Russia's reliance on military power in policymaking.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un added that the threat of nuclear war had never been greater, accusing the US of pursuing an "aggressive and hostile" stance. North Korea has reportedly sent thousands of troops to support Russia, with Ukrainian forces encountering them in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops have gained territory.
US President Joe Biden confirmed granting Ukraine permission to use longer-range Atacms missiles against Russian targets, citing Moscow's use of North Korean troops as justification.
The conflict, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has entered a critical stage as both sides seek to gain the upper hand ahead of Donald Trump’s anticipated presidency in January. Trump has pledged to end the war "within hours" without detailing his strategy.