‘It turns everything to dust’ Putin says Russia could target Kyiv ‘decision-making centers’ with new Oreshnik missile

Speaking at a summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Kazakhstan on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia’s new Oreshnik ballistic missile could target “decision-making centers in Kyiv.”

Putin warned that Russia will continue “combat testing” the missile, referring to strikes on Ukrainian territory, in response to strikes by Ukraine using long-range Western-made missiles in Russia’s Bryansk and Kursk regions. He said that the Russian Defense Ministry and General Staff are currently selecting targets for Oreshnik strikes in Ukraine.

The Russian leader also said the new missile is capable of striking well-protected targets located deep in Ukraine. He claimed that in a massive attack using multiple Oreshniks, “the power of the strike would be comparable to the use of nuclear weapons,” though he added that “Oreshnik is not a weapon of mass destruction” as its use without a nuclear warhead does not lead to radioactive contamination.

According to Putin, Russia has multiple Oreshnik missiles ready for use. He also announced that serial production of the missiles has already begun, although he was reported to have ordered such production just days ago. He claimed that Russia produces 10 times more missiles than all NATO countries combined and that its missile production will increase by 25–30 percent next year.