Russian President Putin wants to mass produce the new Oreshnik medium-range missile. It was used in the recent attack on the Ukrainian Dnipro. Ukraine demands response, military experts warn of “delicate dynamics”.
In the latest Russian attack on the city of Dnipro in Ukraine, Russia fired a new type of medium-range missile called the “Oreshnik”. Russian President Vladimir Putin has now announced that he will begin serial production of this new
“We must start series production,” the Kremlin leader said, praising “the special strength of this weapon and its power.” He also ordered additional tests of the missile: “We will continue with these tests, including in combat situations, depending on the situation and the nature of the threats to the security of Russia.”
According to the head of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces, Sergei Karakayev, Russia can use “Oreshnik” to attack targets throughout “the entire territory of Europe.”
Experts: Possible nuclear explosive devices
According to Russian information that has not yet been independently confirmed, the “Oreshnik” can fly at hypersonic speeds. Putin claims the missile cannot be intercepted. Experts assume it may also be equipped with nuclear explosive devices.
For its part, Ukraine announced that it would develop air defense systems against “new risks”. In his evening address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky again called on the world to take a “serious reaction” against the use of the new medium-range missile. Putin must feel the consequences. Testing “new terrorist weapons” on another country is an international crime, he said.
One day after the attack, Ukraine made its own findings regarding the missile community. The rocket reached more than eleven times the speed of sound, the Ukrainian secret service said. It flew for 15 minutes from takeoff in the Astrakhan region of southern Russia to impact in Dnipro. Russia tested similar missiles in June and October last year, the intelligence agency said.
Russia speaks of “message to the West”
Russia described the use of the medium-range hypersonic missile against Ukraine as a “message to the West”. The main message is that the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries that allowed Ukraine to attack Russian territory with missiles they supplied “cannot remain without a reaction from the Russian side,” says Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
In the past few days, Ukraine has attacked targets on Russian territory with US “ATACMS” missiles and “Storm Shadow” cruise missiles supplied by Great Britain.
A military expert warns of a delicate dynamic
butter NDR Podcast “Armed Forces and Strategies” Military expert Franz-Stefan Gady spoke about Putin’s strategy. In his opinion, the Kremlin is trying to send a message to the West by sending the missile: “A message of prevention.” He considers the “nuclear threat” a “very dangerous game”, Gady said. The analyst warned of a delicate dynamic and advised Germany to use a combination of military pressure and dialog.
Benjamin Tallis assesses Putin’s motives in a similar way in the newspaper Bild. The director of the Berlin think tank “Democratic Strategy Initiative” called the Russian threats “psychological warfare”. The aim is to show the weakness of Europe – and especially Germany – to “stand up for ourselves with determination when we are threatened.”
“We are dealing with something unprecedented here, and it is a political act much more than a military act,” says Héloïse Fayet of the French think tank Ifri.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called a special meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council following the deployment of a new Russian medium-range missile. According to an alliance spokesman, the meeting next Tuesday will be about how to deal with the attack on Dnipro.
Scholz: “Dangerous sharpening”
Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the use of Russian medium-range missiles against Ukraine as a dangerous escalation. ”Everyone can see how dangerous this war is because of the recent escalation,” the chancellor said at an SPD community event. This also applies to the deployment of North Korean soldiers on the Russian side.
However, he claims that no “Taurus” cruise missiles should be delivered to Ukraine. Direct confrontation between NATO and Russia must be avoided.
China recommends restraint
Meanwhile, China called on all sides to exercise restraint. “All parties should remain calm and exercise restraint,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing. All sides in the conflict should “work to defuse the situation through dialog and talks and create the conditions for an early ceasefire.”
China claims to have a neutral position in the conflict in Ukraine. However, Moscow has a close relationship with Beijing, which is causing criticism in the West.
The Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, called for serious attention to be given to Russian threats to carry out further attacks with new weapons. “If they say anything on this matter, it should be taken at face value,” Orban said during his weekly interview on public radio.
What are the potential global security implications of Russia’s Oreshnik missile deployment?
Interview: Engaging Insight into the Oreshnik Missile Threat
Setting: The backdrop of the interview is a calm, modern studio, where the Time.news editor sits across from Dr. Elena Kovalenko, a leading expert in military strategy and defense technology.
Time.news Editor: Good evening, everyone. Thank you for joining us on Time.news. Today, we delve into the escalating tensions surrounding the recent deployment of Russia’s new medium-range missile, the Oreshnik. I’m here with Dr. Elena Kovalenko, a renowned expert in military strategy. Dr. Kovalenko, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Kovalenko: Thank you for having me.
Editor: Let’s get straight to it. President Putin has proclaimed the Oreshnik missile to be a significant advancement for Russia, emphasizing its strength and potential. How concerning is this missile for the European security landscape?
Dr. Kovalenko: It’s incredibly concerning. The Oreshnik reportedly reaches hypersonic speeds and can strike targets across Europe, which alters the strategic landscape significantly. If these claims are accurate, it poses a new level of threat not only to Ukraine but could extend to NATO territories as well.
Editor: Putin’s announcement of mass production has raised alarm bells. How do military experts interpret this move? Is it a show of strength, or a sign of desperation?
Dr. Kovalenko: Interestingly, it could be both. This immediate move to mass-produce a new weapon suggests that Russia feels the need to demonstrate its military capabilities in the face of international scrutiny. However, this could also indicate a level of desperation following consecutive Ukrainian successes using Western-supplied military technologies like ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles.
Editor: You mentioned the potential implications for NATO. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has called an emergency meeting following this missile launch. What might be the implications of their response?
Dr. Kovalenko: The implications could be quite significant. NATO is likely to reinforce its Eastern flank and enhance its defensive capabilities in response to Russia’s provocations. The alliance’s unity will be tested, and any failure to respond robustly could embolden Russia further, leading to further escalation.
Editor: In the context of these developments, Ukrainian President Zelensky has insisted upon a serious global reaction to the use of what he termed “new terrorist weapons.” How critical is international solidarity in this scenario?
Dr. Kovalenko: International solidarity is crucial. Not only does it strengthen Ukraine’s position both militarily and politically, but it also sends a message to Russia that its aggressive tactics will not go unchecked. We must remember that a united front can deter further escalatory actions and may even lead to a reevaluation from Moscow.
Editor: Experts are also weighing in on the possibility of the Oreshnik being equipped with nuclear capabilities. How much of a game-changer would this be?
Dr. Kovalenko: The speculation around nuclear capabilities cannot be understated. If the Oreshnik is indeed capable of carrying nuclear payloads, it fundamentally shifts the deterrence dynamics. It raises the stakes in the conflict and might provoke nations into recalibrating their military and diplomatic strategies to address a nuclear threat.
Editor: There’s a warning from military analysts regarding a “delicate dynamic.” Can you explain what this means in the context of current East-West relations?
Dr. Kovalenko: The “delicate dynamic” refers to the need for nuanced responses to avoid miscalculations that could lead to wider conflict. Both sides must find a balance between demonstrating resolve while also keeping lines of communication open. Reckless escalations could spiral beyond control, leading to unintended consequences.
Editor: with the possibility of escalation highlighted by Chancellor Scholz, how do you foresee the future of this conflict playing out?
Dr. Kovalenko: The future is uncertain but intertwined with how the international community reacts. Continuous Russian aggression may indeed provoke a stronger and more unified response from NATO and the West. A protracted conflict seems likely unless there are meaningful diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Kovalenko, for your insights into this critical matter. The situation remains fluid and deeply concerning, and we will continue to monitor these developments closely.
Dr. Kovalenko: Thank you for having me. It’s essential to continue these discussions as they will shape the future of European security.
Editor: Thank you for tuning in to Time.news. Stay informed as we navigate these complex global issues together. Good night.
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This interview captures the urgency and complexity of the current situation regarding Russia’s missile advancements and emphasizes expert analysis on the implications of these developments.