Putin says Russia will keep testing new missile in combat
(VOVWORLD) - President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russia would keep testing its new Oreshnik hypersonic missile in combat and had a stock ready for use, while Ukraine said it was already at work to develop air systems to counter the weapon.
 Russian President Vladimir Putin conducts an exercise of Russia's strategic nuclear deterrence forces to train actions of officials on operating nuclear weapons with practical launches of ballistic and cruise missiles, via video link at the Kremlin, in Moscow, Russia October 29, 2024. (Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Pool via REUTERS) |
Putin was speaking a day after Russia fired the new intermediate-range weapon into Ukraine for the first time, a step he said was prompted by Ukraine's use of US ballistic missiles and British cruise missiles to hit Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Kyiv was working with its Western partners to work out systems to counter "new risks".
Putin described the first use of Oreshnik (hazel tree) as a successful test, and said more would follow.
"We will continue these tests, including in combat conditions, depending on the situation and the nature of the security threats that are created for Russia," he said in televised comments to defence officials and missile developers.