Putin says will test more Oreshnik missiles in combat after firing one at Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Moscow would carry out more tests of the hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile in “combat conditions”, a day after firing one on Ukraine.

“We will continue these tests, including in combat conditions, depending on the situation and character of the security threats posted to Russia,” Putin said in a televised meeting with military chiefs.

Russia fired the new-generation missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro early on Thursday in a major escalation of the weaponry being deployed in the nearly three-year conflict.

The Kremlin boss also ordered the missile, which flies at speeds of Mach 10 – 10 times the speed of sound – to be put into serial production. Russia is developing similar advanced systems, he added.

“We need to begin serial production. The decision … has in effect been taken,” Putin said, praising the “particular strength of this weapon and its power.

“The weapon system that was tested yesterday is another faithful guarantee of Russia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he added.