Vladimir Putin announced the commencement of serial production of the "Oreshnik" systems and the continuation of "tests," including in combat conditions. This statement was made by the Russian president during a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense and representatives of the defense industry on Friday, where he also commented again on the missile strike in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, which the Russian army carried out on November 21.
Putin stated that the tests of the "Oreshnik" were successful and noted that Russia has a stockpile of these missiles. He added that several similar missile systems are currently being tested, which are planned to be put into serial production.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his evening address on Friday, mentioned that Ukraine has requested new air defense systems from its allies following the Russian strike with the "Oreshnik" on Dnipro. According to him, the Ukrainian Minister of Defense is already holding meetings with partners to discuss protection against new Russian threats.
“We must realize that ‘comrade’ Putin will continue to intimidate us. He has built his entire power on this. It is important to respond appropriately and do everything to ensure that this war returns home to Russia, so that they feel what war is like," added the Ukrainian leader.
On November 21, Russia launched a massive missile strike on Ukrainian territory. Later, Putin stated that the medium-range ballistic missile "Oreshnik" was used in the attack, which potentially can carry a nuclear warhead. According to Putin, this was a response to the strikes by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the Bryansk and Kursk regions using American ATACMS missiles and Franco-British Storm Shadow.
On the evening of the same day, the Pentagon confirmed that Russia struck Dnipro with an "experimental medium-range ballistic missile, the prototype of which is the intercontinental model RS-26 Rubezh."