Putin Challenges U.S. to ‘Duel’ in Kiev with Russia‘s Hypersonic Weapon
Russian President Vladimir Putin has thrown down the gauntlet to the United States, proposing a "duel" between Russia’s new hypersonic weapon and Western anti-missile systems, with the potential battleground being Ukraine‘s capital, Kiev.
In his annual press conference, Putin suggested that the U.S. could choose any installation in Kiev to concentrate its anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems. Russia, he said, would then launch a hypersonic missile called "Oréshnik" at it. "We are ready for that experiment," Putin declared, questioning if the U.S. was willing to accept the challenge.
Putin framed this potential clash as a "high-tech duel of the 21st century" between Russia and the United States. He pointed out that the Oréshnik has a maximum range of 5,500 kilometers and its warheads separate just seconds after launch, making it virtually impossible to intercept.
The Russian leader also criticized the U.S.’s anti-missile shield, claiming it is "costly and inefficient" in ensuring the country’s security. He stated that Russia has made significant strides in overcoming this system.
Putin highlighted that NATO has installed around 24 anti-missile batteries in Romania and Poland, with the latter’s systems having a range of 1,000 kilometers. However, he insisted that Russia’s hypersonic systems could still evade interception even from these advanced platforms.
Recently, Putin signed a new nuclear doctrine, but he maintains that Russia’s hypersonic weaponry renders the use of nuclear arms unnecessary. The Russian leader’s bold words underscore the escalating tension between Russia and the West, particularly over Ukraine.
