Putin Unveils Russia’s Oreshnik Missile, Threatens Retaliation Against Western Strikes
At the CSTO Summit in Kazakhstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed ongoing tensions with the West over the Ukraine conflict. He highlighted that Russia closely monitors the delivery of Western weapons to Ukraine, emphasizing that the introduction of long-range missile systems such as Storm Shadow, Scalp, and Taurus signals direct Western involvement. Putin described Russia’s X-101 missile as a more advanced version of these European-made systems, boasting a significantly longer range.
Putin also discussed Russia’s response to these escalating threats, particularly through the development of the Oreshnik missile system. He asserted that the Oreshnik, while not a weapon of mass destruction, has the destructive potential of nuclear weapons due to its precision and the extreme heat generated by its warhead—reaching temperatures of 4,000 degrees Celsius.
The missile can destroy deeply fortified targets and is considered a key component of Russia’s retaliation strategy. Putin warned that Russia will continue to retaliate against Western missile strikes on Russian soil, including potential strikes on Ukrainian decision-making centers, which he regards as direct provocations from the West.
The Russian leader emphasized that Russia’s response to Western missile support for Ukraine would be powerful and precise, and that those responsible for directing attacks against Russian territories, especially using ATACMS missiles, would be considered accomplices to Ukraine’s government.
