By Anastasia Teterevleva and Maxim Rodionov
MOSCOW (Reuters) -President Vladimir Putin stated on Friday that Russia would preserve testing its new Oreshnik hypersonic missile in fight and had a inventory prepared to be used, whereas Ukraine stated it was already at work to develop air programs to counter the weapon.
Putin was talking a day after Russia fired the brand new intermediate-range weapon into Ukraine for the primary time, a step he stated was prompted by Ukraine’s use of U.S. ballistic missiles and British cruise missiles to hit Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated Kyiv was working with its Western companions to work out programs to counter “new risks”.
Putin described the primary use of Oreshnik (hazel tree) as a profitable take a look at, and stated extra would comply with.
“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 stated in televised feedback to defence officers and missile builders.
“Moreover, we have a stock of such products, a stock of such systems ready for use.”
A U.S. official, nevertheless, stated the weapon Russia used was an experimental one. The official stated Russia has a restricted variety of them and that this isn’t a functionality that Russia is ready to often deploy on the battlefield.
Intermediate missiles have a variety of three,000-5,500 km (1,860-3,415 miles), which might allow them to strike anyplace in Europe or the western United States from Russia.
Safety specialists stated the novel function of the Oreshnik missile was that it carried a number of warheads able to concurrently placing totally different targets – one thing normally related to longer-range intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to hold nuclear warheads.
Ukraine stated the missile reached a high pace of greater than 13,000 kph (8,000 mph) and took about quarter-hour to achieve its goal from its launch.
The firing of the missile was a part of a pointy rise in tensions this week as each Ukraine and Russia have struck one another’s territory with more and more potent weapons.
Moscow says that by giving the inexperienced gentle for Ukraine to fireplace Western missiles deep inside Russia, the U.S. and its allies are getting into into direct battle with Russia. On Tuesday, Putin authorized coverage adjustments that lowered the brink for Russia to make use of nuclear weapons in response to an assault with typical weapons.
SEVERE ESCALATION
Zelenskiy, talking in his nightly video deal with, has described Russia’s use of the brand new missile as an escalation.
“On my behalf, the Minister of Defence of Ukraine is already holding meetings with our partners regarding new air defence systems capable of protecting lives from new risks,” he stated.
“When someone starts using other countries not only for terror, but also for testing their new missiles through acts of terror, then this is clearly an international crime.”
Ukrainians, he stated, needed to stay vigilant.
“We must be aware that ‘comrade’ Putin will keep trying to intimidate us,” he stated. “That is how he built all his power.”
The Kremlin stated the firing of the Oreshnik was a warning to the West in opposition to taking additional “reckless” actions and choices in help of Ukraine.
The Oreshnik was fired with typical, not nuclear warheads. Putin stated it was not a strategic nuclear weapon however its placing energy and accuracy meant that its influence could be comparable, “especially when used in a massive group and in combination with other high-precision long-range systems”.
He stated the missile couldn’t be shot down by an enemy.
“I will add that there is no countermeasure to such a missile, no means of intercepting it, in the world today,” he stated.
“And I will emphasize once again that we will continue testing this newest system. It is necessary to establish serial production.”
