Headline: "Adequacy in Question": Zelensky Slams Putin‘s "Technological Duel" Proposal
Subhead: Ukraine President Vladimir Zelensky lambasts Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s suggestion to test "Oreshnik" missile against Western air defense in Ukraine.
In an impassioned response, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky questioned the mental state of Russian leader Vladimir Putin after the latter proposed a "technological duel" between Russia’s new missile, the "Oreshnik," and Western air defense systems in Ukraine.
Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, Zelensky condemned Putin’s suggestion, stating, "You see who we’re dealing with? Today, the friend from the Kremlin said that Russia is offering a technological duel. He said, ‘We’ll strike somewhere in Kyiv with ‘Oreshnik,’ and let’s see what happens…’" Zelensky’s voice dripped with sarcasm as he continued, "And you think this is a sane person? It’s just ice-cold madness."
Putin had previously acknowledged the use of the "Oreshnik" missile in a strike on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on November 21, which left at least 44 dead. However, the Ukrainians and Western intelligence sources claim it was an older, more powerful missile, possibly the "Rubezh" or another from the "Kedr" complex, that was used.
Zelensky’s remarks follow a series of escalations from Moscow. Initially, there was confusion over the type of missile used in the Dnipro strike. While Russia claimed it was the "Oreshnik," Ukrainian military intelligence suggested it was the "Rubezh," a potential nuclear-carrying missile. Later, U.S. officials confirmed Russia had used a missile derived from the "Rubezh."
On November 28, Putin proclaimed the start of serial production of the "Oreshnik" system and threatened to use it against "decision-making centers in Kyiv."
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