President Vladimir Putin announced on Friday that Russia will proceed with testing and mass-producing the hypersonic ballistic missile that was launched at Ukraine on Thursday. The experimental strike, which occurred after the White House authorized Ukraine to fire its long-range missiles into Russia, marked a significant development in the ongoing conflict.
During a televised meeting with Russia's defense ministry leadership, Putin emphasized the missile's capabilities, stating that it cannot be intercepted by existing air defenses. He confirmed that Russia will initiate serial production of the advanced weapon, highlighting the absence of effective countermeasures against it globally.
Putin revealed plans for the development of additional hypersonic systems, indicating that multiple similar weapons are in the testing phase and will eventually enter production. He underscored the expansion of Russia's arsenal to include medium- and shorter-range systems.
The recent launch of the 'Oreshnik' missile, equipped with multiple warheads, at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro drew condemnation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky denounced the attack, characterizing Russia as a reckless neighbor that disregards human life and freedom.
In response to the new threat posed by Russia, Ukraine is engaging with its allies to explore the creation of enhanced air defense systems. Reports indicate that the experimental ballistic missile fired by Russia featured multiple warheads, potentially marking a significant escalation in the conflict.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a key supporter of Ukraine, described the situation as entering a critical phase. NATO and Ukraine are scheduled to convene discussions in the coming week following the deployment of the experimental missile by Russia.
