The announcement that Russia is mass-producing the Oreshnik missile comes after the hypersonic missile was used in combat for the first time earlier this week in Ukraine.
Speaking at a meeting at the Kremlin with Defense Ministry leaders and defense industry representatives on November 22, President Putin made it clear that the Oreshnik missile - one of Russia's latest military advances - did not come from modernizing old Soviet weapons. Instead, this missile was developed based on advanced hypersonic technology and modern materials.
“This is the result of work carried out in the conditions of the new Russia,” Putin said, stressing that the Oreshnik missile was created to meet modern defense needs.
President Putin confirmed that a number of Oreshnik missiles are being tested in Russia and that a decision has been made to mass produce them. More missile systems are expected to be delivered to Russia's Strategic Missile Forces in the coming months.
The Oreshnik missile was first used in combat on November 21 when Russia attacked Ukrainian defense facilities in Dnepropetrovsk. The target of Russia’s latest missile attack was Yuzhmash, one of Ukraine’s largest defense industrial facilities inherited from the Soviet era, which produces missile equipment and other weapons.
Mr. Putin said that the use of Oreshnik missiles was aimed at responding to Kiev's attacks inside Russia with long-range weapons provided by the West such as the US ATACMS missile and the British Storm Shadow missile.
The Oreshnik is described as a medium-range hypersonic weapon designed for high-precision strikes. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, “all warheads” of the missile “reached their targets” during its first deployment this week.
President Putin also stressed the importance of continuing testing and increasing production of the latest missile, according to RT. “I congratulate the military on the successful testing and support the adoption of this system,” he said.
Also according to RT, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Russia has a new stockpile of Oreshnik medium-range missiles.
"As you know, no one in the world has such a weapon. Other countries are working on similar developments, but they will not have this system for at least another year or two. And we have this missile today. This is an important advantage," he stressed.
The Russian leader also highlighted the advanced capabilities of the Oreshnik missile. Mr. Putin stated that the Oreshnik missile currently has no opponents to counter or intercept. "Today, there are no measures in the world that can counter or intercept such a missile," Mr. Putin affirmed.
Although the Oreshnik missile is not classified as a strategic weapon or means of mass destruction, Mr. Putin affirmed that the accuracy and destructive power make the new missile a valuable asset of Russia, playing an important role in Russia's defense strategy.
“Oreshnik is a unique weapon and we will continue to test it and deploy it when necessary to protect the country,” said Russian President Vladimir Putin.
