“Oreshnik is a very new, modern weapon,” Putin said at a press conference broadcast live on December 19.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the missile system was developed based on previous Russian designs. Putin also said he had participated in the decision to produce the Oreshnik missile.
Russia's latest missile was used to attack a defense industrial complex in Ukraine in retaliation for Kiev's use of foreign-made long-range weapons to strike deep into Russian territory.
When asked why the Oreshnik missile was called that, Putin said he did not know, Sputnik reported.
Russian President Putin said it is not easy to shoot down or destroy the Oreshnik missile.
He also mentioned a “high-tech duel of the 21st century” between Russia’s latest hypersonic missiles and Western weapons.
“Let them choose some facilities in Kiev, concentrate all their air defense and missile defense forces there. We will strike there with Oreshnik and see what happens,” Putin said.
Also reporting live on President Putin's press conference, RT said that Mr. Putin shared that the West has established two important air defense zones on Russia's borders, one in Romania and one in Poland.
Even though Poland is equipped with more modern systems, it will not be able to intercept the Oreshnik missile. "Imagine our Oreshnik system being located at a distance of 2,000 km. Even anti-ballistic missiles located on Polish territory will not be able to reach it," he asserted.
