Putin Proposes Missile “Duel” with U.S. to Showcase New Hypersonic Weapon

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a missile “duel” with the United States on Thursday, suggesting that such an experiment would demonstrate the capabilities of Russia’s new Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile against any U.S. missile defense system.

In his remarks, Putin addressed Western skepticism regarding the Oreshnik missile, indicating that both Russia and the U.S. could select a designated target to be protected by U.S. missile defenses. “We’re ready for such an experiment,” he stated, emphasizing Russia’s confidence in the missile’s effectiveness.

Putin described the Oreshnik as a modern weapon, although he acknowledged that it is based on previous Russian design developments. The missile was first deployed in a strike on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on November 21, which Putin framed as a response to Ukraine’s use of U.S. ATACMs ballistic missiles and British Storm Shadows to target Russian territory with Western approval.

The proposal for a missile duel underscores the escalating tensions between Russia and the West, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape.