Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stark warning to Ukraine, threatening to target “decision-making centres” in Kyiv with Moscow’s new hypersonic missile, the Oreshnik. This statement came just hours after Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving over a million people without power.
The assault, involving more than 90 missiles and approximately 100 drones, was described by Putin as a response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory using Western-supplied missiles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack as “blackmail” and called for stronger international support against Russian aggression.
Speaking at a press conference in Astana, Kazakhstan, Putin said, “We do not rule out the use of Oreshnik against military, military-industrial, or decision-making centres, including in Kyiv.” He boasted that deploying several of these missiles simultaneously could produce an effect akin to a nuclear strike or a “meteorite impact.”
Escalation of the Conflict
The nearly three-year war has seen heightened tensions in recent days, with both sides introducing advanced weaponry. Russia’s recent test of the Oreshnik missile on Ukraine showcased its capability, which Putin claimed could travel at speeds of three kilometres per second and strike with temperatures comparable to “the surface of the sun.”
The Kremlin leader described the overnight barrage as retaliation for Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles against Russian territory. Despite the escalating violence, Putin hinted at potential diplomatic opportunities with incoming U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, calling him an “intelligent person” who might find a “solution.”
Humanitarian and Strategic Impact
The Russian strikes severely affected Ukraine’s western regions, with hundreds of thousands left without electricity in Lviv, Rivne, and Volyn. Ukraine’s emergency services reported damage in 14 regions, further straining the country’s already battered energy infrastructure.
Zelensky accused Russia of escalating its tactics by deploying cluster munitions during the attacks, labelling the move as a “despicable act of terrorism.”
Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the strikes, calling them “outrageous” and underscoring the urgency of continued Western support for Ukraine. Biden’s remarks come as the U.S. prepares for a potential shift in its Ukraine policy under Trump’s administration.
International Reactions
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk dismissed Putin’s threats as a sign of weakness, insisting that Western nations would not be deterred. A senior UN official recently warned that ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid could make this winter the harshest since the war began.
As tensions continue to escalate, the Kremlin has reiterated its claims of monitoring Western weapons supplied to Kyiv, further complicating efforts to resolve the conflict diplomatically.