NATO members including Britain will hold crisis talks after Vladimir Putin vowed to fire more nuclear-capable missiles at Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russia’s top missile commander warned its latest “unstoppable” weapon can hit targets across Europe.
Next week’s emergency meeting will discuss the terrifying threat posed by hypersonic rockets and fears that Ukraine’s front line is on the brink of collapse.
Last night, President Putin described Thursday’s ballistic attack as “successful” and said he would launch more under “combat conditions.”
In a televised speech, Putin boasted that there were “no countermeasures” to the Oreshnik missile because of its speed. It took just 15 minutes to travel from a launch site in northern Russia to its target in central Ukraine, at Mach 11, or more than 8,500 mph.
The medium or intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) hit a weapons factory in Dnipro and caused damage.
Putin said: “I will add that today there is no way to intercept it in the world.” And I will emphasize again that we will continue to test this new system.”
If Russia can mass produce the weapon, as Putin said it would, it could force Ukraine to surrender – or further involve NATO states in the conflict.
In a televised speech, Putin (pictured) boasted that there were “no countermeasures” to the Russian Oreshnik missile because of its speed.
The missile took just 15 minutes to travel from a launch site in northern Russia to its target in central Ukraine, at Mach 11, or more than 8,500 mph (File Image)
Commander of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, Sergei Karakayev, said: “The Oreshnik missile system has features that allow it to hit targets throughout Europe.
“This hypersonic missile system can hit any target, from single targets to area targets, as well as highly protected targets, with great effectiveness.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country is working on air defense systems to counter “new risks.”
UK missile expert Justin Crump said the Oreshnik would likely be “experimental” at this stage and had been fired as a “demonstration” of Russia’s capabilities.
Also yesterday, Ukraine’s British envoy, Valery Zaluzhny, said a Third World War had begun, given Russia’s use of North Korean troops, Iranian drones and Chinese computer components.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer denied the Kremlin’s claim that the UK was already “at war” with Russia over its involvement in Ukraine’s use of Storm Shadows.
Cruise missiles supplied by Britain were fired towards mainland Russia for the first time earlier this week. The rockets require direct involvement of the United Kingdom and the United States in mission planning.
Sir Keir said: ‘No, we are not at war, but Ukraine is, because Ukraine has been invaded by Russia and that war has lasted just over 1,000 days.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country is working on air defense systems to counter “new risks”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer denied the Kremlin’s claim that the UK was already “at war” with Russia over its involvement in Ukraine’s use of Storm Shadows.
An image highlighting the moment a Russian hypersonic missile hit Dnipro, Ukraine, on Thursday.
Ukrainian firefighters face aftermath of Russia’s hypersonic missile attack in Dnipro
‘There are 1,000 days of aggression by Russia and 1,000 days of sacrifice for Ukraine. That is why we have always said that we support Ukraine. We cannot let Putin win this war.” Concerns intensified last night that the Kremlin’s position in the conflict could soon become unassailable. It has seized six times more territory in Ukraine this year than in 2023.
Consequently, Russia occupies more than 110,000 square kilometers of Ukraine, while Ukraine only occupies 1,100 square kilometers of Russian territory.
However, this relatively small area of Kursk province could be a valuable bargaining chip.
Without it, Ukraine would have no leverage to persuade the Kremlin to withdraw from its sovereign territory, parts of which have been under Russian occupation since the 2022 invasion.
Dr Marina Miron, a defense researcher at King’s College London, suggested the Kremlin’s land grab was due to Ukraine diverting troops to southern Russia.
He said: “The Kursk raid was a moment of tactical brilliance, but it has been a strategic catastrophe for Ukraine.”