Russia launched a new hypersonic Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile at a military facility in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro Thursday, days after Kiev sent long-ranged NATO-supplied projectiles into Russian territory.
The deployment of the previously unknown weapon fueled media speculation that Moscow had, for the first time in history, used a ballistic missile in an offensive capacity, prompting President Vladimir Putin to make a rare television appearance to address the rumors.
Putin described the Oreshnik, a multiple-warhead and nuclear-capable device, as the latest addition to his country’s arsenal, claiming it can reach a target at ten times the speed of sound.
“Modern air defense systems that exist in the world and anti-missile defenses created by the Americans in Europe can’t intercept such missiles,” Putin said of the munition, while warning similar attacks could follow.
In his nightly broadcast, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky accused the Russian leader of trying to extend the war, calling the incident "yet another proof that Russia clearly does not seek peace."
A U.S. official confirmed the introduction of the IRBM to Reuters and revealed that the Kremlin informed Washington 30 minutes prior to its use.
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