Official statements from the Ukrainian government or defense ministry

Putin Proposes Missile Duel Over Kyiv with Oreshnik Missile

Dec 19, 2024, 02:11 PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a "technological duel" with the West to test Russia's new Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile. During a televised Q&A session, Putin suggested that the West select a target in Kyiv, concentrate all their air and missile defense systems there, and Russia would strike it with the Oreshnik to demonstrate its capabilities. He claimed that the Oreshnik, with a range of up to 5,500 km, is impossible to intercept and that no one has a chance of shooting it down. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Putin's proposal, saying, "People are dying, and he thinks it’s interesting... dumbass."