The tests were successful, I congratulate them for that, Putin said, and stated that Russia will continue testing its most modern Oreshnik missiles of domestic manufacture, also in combat conditions if necessary.

Depending on the situation and the nature of the threats to Russia’s security, these tests will be carried out, declared the head of State at the meeting with the top officials of the Defense Ministry, the military-industrial complex and weapons developers.

The president revealed that Moscow has in its possession reserves of Oreshnik missiles ready for use, and recalled that the impact of the Oreshnik missile is equivalent to that of strategic weapons. “I would like to emphasize one more aspect: the Oreshnik missile system is an effective hypersonic weapon only because of its striking power, especially when used en masse and in combination with other high-precision long-range systems,” he said.

The head of state also explained that the new weapon is not a modernization of old Soviet systems, but a very recent and modern development. It is clear that we all used various systems created in the Soviet Union, and to some extent we used their results, he stressed.

But this system is more than anything the result of selfless work, because it was created on the basis of the latest modern developments, he said.

Later, Putin said that today in the world there is no way to counter such a missile, or to intercept it.

It is necessary to establish mass production of the missile. We agreed that the decision on the serial production of this system has been made, he said.

In this regard, the president stressed that the process of mass production “is practically already organized” and revealed that military factories would deliver the new weapon “to be put into production.” “The Oreshnik missile system has characteristics that allow it to hit targets throughout Europe,” said Sergei Karakayev, Commander of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces. “This hypersonic missile system can hit any target, from individual targets to area targets, as well as highly protected targets, with great effectiveness,” he added. “Depending on the tasks set and the range of this weapon, it can destroy targets throughout Europe, which distinguishes it favorably from other long-range precision missile systems,” said the senior military official.

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