Russia Could Fire 'Oreshnik' Hypersonic Missile At Kyiv: Putin

Last Updated:November 28, 2024, 19:53 IST

Putin said a massive aerial bombardment of Ukraine's energy facilities was in response to Kyiv striking Russian territory with Western-supplied missiles

Pledging Moscow would always respond to Ukraine's use of US-supplied ATACMS missiles, Putin said his military was considering a strike on the heart of Kyiv in retaliation to any future attacks. (Reuters file)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Moscow could strike the Ukrainian capital Kyiv with its new “Oreshnik" hypersonic missile.

“We do not rule out the use of Oreshnik against the military, military-industrial facilities or decision-making centres, including in Kyiv," Putin said at a press conference in the Kazakh capital Astana.

Putin said a massive aerial bombardment of Ukraine’s energy facilities was in response to Kyiv striking Russian territory with Western-supplied missiles.

Pledging Moscow would always respond to Ukraine’s use of US-supplied ATACMS missiles, Putin said his military was considering a strike on the heart of Kyiv in retaliation to any future attacks.

Moscow launched almost 200 missiles and drones targeting Ukraine’s energy grid, with President Volodymyr Zelensky alleging “cluster munitions" were fired in what he called a “despicable escalation" almost three years into the war.

More than a million homes in western Ukraine were temporarily without power after the strikes as the country’s energy operator announced emergency blackouts on Thursday.

“We carried out a comprehensive strike," Putin told allies during a visit to Kazakhstan several hours after the attack.

“It was a response to continued attacks on our territory by (US) ATACMS missiles," he said in the televised remarks.

“As I have said repeatedly, there will always be a response from our side," he added.

He said the Russian military command was selecting targets to hit in Ukraine, threatening that future strikes could target government buildings in Kyiv.

Putin also claimed Russia knew how many long-range weapons were given to Kyiv and where they were located.

But the Kremlin leader refrained from repeating his previous threat that Russia considered military targets in Western countries that supply weapons to Ukraine legitimate targets for possible Russian strikes.

Ukraine is bracing for a tough winter as Moscow steps up its aerial bombardment and its troops advance on the frontlines in the east.

Tensions have ratcheted up over the last few weeks as both sides are looking to secure the upper hand on the battlefield ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration as US president in January.

Moscow, Russia

News world Russia Could Fire 'Oreshnik' Hypersonic Missile At Kyiv: Putin