Defense budget reports or official announcements from governments

Putin Proposes 'Technological Duel' with U.S. to Test Oreshnik Hypersonic Missile Against Target in Kyiv

Dec 19, 2024, 12:08 PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a 'technological duel' with the West, specifically targeting the United States, to demonstrate the capabilities of Russia's new Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile. In a recent statement, Putin suggested that the West select a target in Kyiv and concentrate all their air and missile defense systems there, after which Russia would launch an Oreshnik missile at the site. He asserted that no defense system would be able to intercept the missile, claiming, 'We are ready for such an experiment.' This challenge aims to test the effectiveness of Western missile defense systems against the Oreshnik, which Putin boasted is impossible to shoot down. The proposal has drawn attention amidst ongoing tensions between Russia and the West, particularly regarding military capabilities and defense strategies.