Oreshnik missile

Kiev: Moscow’s threats are “typical blackmail”

Kiev does not want to be intimidated by Putin's threats.

(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has commented on the new Russian medium-range missile "Oreshnik" and threats from Moscow of further attacks. He sees this as "typical blackmail" by the Kremlin.

The ruler Vladimir Putin is trying to deter anyone from supporting Kiev, Sybiha wrote on Platform X. "Ukraine's partners should do the exact opposite: Reject blackmail, increase support and reinforce Ukraine's air defense shield with appropriate systems that can intercept such missiles."

Firing on Thursday
Russia fired a new medium-range ballistic missile at Ukraine on Thursday. According to Russian information, it was used to attack a defense plant in Dnipro. However, Moscow had also deliberately used the launch of the missile to deter the West. The aim is to prevent the West from continuing to support Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russia - especially not with long-range missiles for firing at military objects on Russian territory.

Series production announced
Shortly afterwards, Putin announced the series production of the new missile. The missile, known as Oreshnik (German: Nussstrauch), is the only one of its kind in the world. According to Moscow, the missile is supposed to fly at hypersonic speed and be inaccessible to air defense systems. This information could not initially be independently confirmed.