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Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin hails ‘unstoppable’ hypersonic missiles as Moscow ramps up threats to West

Putin vowed to launch more intermediate-range ballistic missiles targeting Ukraine

Alexander Butler
Saturday 23 November 2024 12:19 EST
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Related: Vladimir Putin hints at strikes on West

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Vladimir Putin has hailed Russia’s “unstoppable” hypersonic missiles as he threatened to strike the West in a coded message.

The Russian leader claimed there was no way of stopping the intermediate-range “Oreshnik” ballistic missile used to strike Ukraine on Thursday.

He said last week’s attack on Dnipro was a direct response to Ukrainian forces striking Russia with US and British long-range missiles.

“There is no countermeasure to such a missile, no means of intercepting it, in the world today. And I will emphasise once again that we will continue testing this newest system,” Putin warned.

He also said: “We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against the military facilities of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities.”

He claimed the new missile could be fitted with several conventional warheads and could be as devastating as strategic nuclear weapons.

Ukrainian air defence forces said the missile – which has a range of more than 3,400 miles and can be used to carry nuclear warheads – was fired from Russia’s Astrakhan region, on the Caspian Sea.

Despite the Kremlin’s rhetoric, Russian officials notified the United States about Thursday’s attack 30 minutes before launching the missile.

Ukraine seeks advanced air defence systems after Russian 'experimental' missile attacks

Ukraine has begun talks with its partners about securing advanced air defense systems after Russia hit the Ukrainian city of Dnipro with an experimental missile.

Experts have determined that the new missile can carry multiple warheads with the potential to strike different targets simultaneously, reaching a top speed of over 13,000 kph, or 8,000 mph.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has reportedly directed Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to engage with the country’s partners on acquiring advanced air defense systems.

Handout photograph taken on November 21, 2024 shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R), Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky (2nd, R) during their meeting with the Chief of the Defence Staff of the United Kingdom Admiral Tony Radakin (top L) in Kyiv
Handout photograph taken on November 21, 2024 shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R), Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky (2nd, R) during their meeting with the Chief of the Defence Staff of the United Kingdom Admiral Tony Radakin (top L) in Kyiv (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER)

“The Minister of Defense of Ukraine is already holding meetings with our partners regarding new air defense systems – precisely such systems that are capable of protecting lives from new risks,” Mr Zelensky said in a statement shared on Telegram.

Vishwam Sankaran23 November 2024 03:37

Putin sends warning to ‘ruling elites’ after Russia tests new missile in Ukraine strike

Putin sends warning to ‘ruling elites’ after Russia tests new missile in Ukraine

Vladimir Putin sent a warning to "ruling elites" and confirmed Russia has tested a new intermediate range missile in a strike on Ukraine. In a nationwide TV address on Thursday (21 November), the Russian president added that Moscow could use it against countries that allowed Kyiv to use their missiles to strike Russia. Mr Putin said Thursday's strike on Ukraine was in response to Ukrainian strikes on the Russian territory in which US and British missiles were used earlier this week.

Alexander Butler23 November 2024 03:30

'Will keep testing new missiles,' Putin warns

Russian president Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russia would continue testing its experimental hypersonic “Oreshnik” missile in combat.

He warned that Russia had a “ready for use” stock of the missile, a day after it was used to target Ukraine for the first time.

Weapons experts say the missile could carry multiple warheads and is capable of striking different targets simultaneously - a feature usually associated with longer-range intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to carry nuclear warheads.

“We will continue these tests, including in combat conditions, depending on the situation and the nature of the security threats that are created for Russia,” Mr Putin told defence officials in a televised meeting.

Vishwam Sankaran23 November 2024 03:21

Nato, Ukraine to hold emergency meeting after Russia's 'experimental' missile strike

Nato and Ukraine have scheduled an emergency meeting next week after Russia hit the Ukrainian city of Dnipro with an experimental hypersonic ballistic missile.

Russian president Vladimir Putin said on Friday that the missile known as “Oreshnik”, or Hazel Tree, that targeted Ukraine was a direct response to strikes on Russia by Ukrainian forces using US and British missiles.

He warned that the Ukraine war was escalating towards a “global conflict” after the US and the UK allowed Ukraine to hit Russia with their weapons.

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin delivers a televised address to the nation at the Kremlin in Moscow on November 21, 2024
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin delivers a televised address to the nation at the Kremlin in Moscow on November 21, 2024 (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Mr Putin said Russia would keep testing its experimental weapon in combat and had a stock of the missile that was “ready for use”.

Ukraine said in its assessment of the Russian missile that it reached a top speed of over 13,000 kph (8,000 mph), taking about 15 minutes to reach its target from launch.

Following Mr Putin’s statements, Nato and Ukraine will hold emergency talks on Tuesday.

Vishwam Sankaran23 November 2024 03:09

What is an intercontinental ballistic missile and how many does Russia have?

What is an intercontinental ballistic missile and how many does Russia have?

While Russia has not used an ICBM on Ukraine yet, but Kyiv initially thought a new missile was the long-range weapon

Alexander Butler23 November 2024 03:00

Watch: Putin says Russia tested new intermediate range missile in strike on Ukraine

Putin says Russia tested new intermediate range missile in strike on Ukraine
Alexander Butler23 November 2024 02:30

Watch: Footage appears to show Russia's ICBM launch hitting Ukraine

Footage appears to show Russia's ICBM launch hitting Ukraine
Alexander Butler23 November 2024 02:00

Watch: British Army fire artillery gun close to Russia border

Watch live firing of British Army’s new Archer Mobile Howitzer close to Russia border

Watch a live firing of the British Army’s new Archer Mobile Howitzer gun close to Russia border. British soldiers fired the new artillery gun for the first time on a tactical exercise in Finland on 20 November. The Swedish-made Archer 155mm self-propelled guns have been acquired as an interim replacement for the 32 AS90s which the UK has donated to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Major Mortimer, second in command of 19 Regt RA, said: “The Archer represents a switch from a tracked self-propelled gun to a wheeled self-propelled gun and rather than using, what we would call, dumb high-explosive rounds. “It shows our Nato partners we’re modernising artillery and continually advancing.”

Alexander Butler23 November 2024 01:30

Norwegian student arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia

A Norwegian student in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia and Iran while working as a guard at the US Embassy in Oslo, authorities in Norway say.

The man, who has not been identified, was ordered to be held in custody for four weeks.

He runs a security company jointly with a dual national of Norway and an unspecified eastern European country, Norwegian public broadcaster NRK reported.

Alexander Butler23 November 2024 01:00

UK won't be put off supporting Ukraine, says minister

The UK will not be put off supporting Ukraine by the “irresponsible rhetoric” of Vladimir Putin, a defence minister has said.

Maria Eagle’s comments came after Sir Keir Starmer said the UK is “not at war” in relation to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

“We’ve heard this kind of irresponsible rhetoric from Putin before. He’s trying to stop nations supporting Ukraine, whilst he doesn’t seem to mind that much about the support he’s getting from North Korea and other nations.

“We can’t allow ourselves to be put off from supporting Ukraine, and we won’t be.”

Alexander Butler23 November 2024 00:30

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