Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Moscow is nearing its primary objective in the war against Ukraine, and challenged the United States to a “missile duel,” including the use of Russia’s new hypersonic ballistic missile, the Oreshnik.
Speaking at his annual press conference, which he primarily uses to demonstrate control over nearly every aspect of Russia’s political and economic spheres, Putin boasted about the country’s economy while downplaying the impact of the harsh sanctions imposed by the West on the Kremlin following its invasion of Ukraine.
The tightly controlled Q&A session on December 19, broadcast live by state-run television channels across the country, focused in recent years on domestic issues.
Putin, who has been in power for almost a quarter of a century, stated that Russian forces are making progress along the frontlines in Ukraine and are on track to achieve their primary objectives.
He did not elaborate on what he meant by this, but in the past, he has said that peace would only be possible after the “denazification, demilitarization, and neutral status” of Ukraine.
Russia falsely claims that Ukraine is led by “radical nationalists” and neo-Nazi groups.
However, Putin also admitted that he could not say when Russia would fully regain control of the western region of Kursk, where Ukraine launched a surprise offensive in August and still holds parts of the territory.
“We will definitely expel them. Definitely. It cannot be otherwise. But as for a specific date, I’m sorry, I cannot say that right now,” Putin said.
Russia has moved toward authoritarianism since Putin came to power.
But since the 2018 elections, this trend has only intensified. The opposition, which was already marginalized, has been completely suppressed.
Earlier this year, Alexei Navalny, Putin’s most prominent critic, died in a prison in Siberia.
Meanwhile, during the conference, Putin spoke provocatively about weapons, suggesting that Moscow and Washington should select targets to be defended by American missile defense systems, and then allow Oreshnik missiles to be launched toward them.
“We are ready for such an experiment,” said Putin.
Russia used the ballistic missile called Oreshnik against Ukraine on November 21, in an attack aimed at the city of Dnipro, according to Radio Free Europe.
Putin said at the time that it was in response to Ukraine’s use of American-made ATACMS ballistic missiles and British-made Storm Shadow missiles for the first time, to strike Russian territory with the approval of the West.
Analysts have expressed skepticism about the Oreshnik missiles, suggesting that the launch of this new medium-range missile was as much a political message as a show of military strength.
