Putin Orders Mass Production Of Hypersonic Missiles For Use In Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Moscow would carry out more tests of the hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile in "combat conditions," a day after firing one on Ukraine.

"We will continue these tests, including in combat conditions, depending on the situation and character of the security threats posted to Russia," Putin said in a televised meeting with military chiefs.

Russia fired the new-generation missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro early on Thursday in a major escalation of the weaponry being deployed in the nearly three-year conflict.

The Kremlin boss also ordered the missile, which flies at speeds of Mach 10 -- 10 times the speed of sound -- to be put into serial production (mass production). Russia is developing similar advanced systems, he added.

"We need to begin serial production. The decision... has in effect been taken," Putin said, praising the "particular strength of this weapon and its power.

"The weapon system that was tested yesterday is another faithful guarantee of Russia's territorial integrity and sovereignty," he added.

Putin claimed no other countries in the world had such missile technology. While he conceded other states would soon develop them, he said: "That will be tomorrow, after a year or two. But we have this system now. That's important."

His choreographed meeting with the defence minister and those in charge of developing the missile came at the end of a week that has seen the Ukraine conflict escalate rapidly.

Putin said the firing of the Oreshnik missile was a direct response to Kyiv's forces using US- and UK-supplied missiles on Russian territory for the first time.

In an address to the nation on Thursday, Putin said Russia reserved the right to fire missiles at military facilities in countries whose weapons are being used by Ukraine -- specifically the United States and Britain.
 

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Russia Puts US Base In Poland On Priority List For "Potential Elimination"

A US ballistic missile defence base in Poland, which may 'lead to an increase in the overall level of nuclear danger', is now on Russia's target list for possible destruction is needed, Moscow confirmed.

The new base in the town of Redzikowo near the Baltic Sea, part of the broader NATO shield against Russia, was opened last week. 

"This is another frankly provocative step in a series of deeply destabilising actions by the Americans and their allies in the North Atlantic Alliance in the strategic sphere," Reuters reported quoting Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

💬 #Zakharova: The so-called US missile defence base (not really) in Poland has been put on the list of priority targets for potential elimination.

The nature and level of threats posed by these Western military facilities are well-known & taken into account. pic.twitter.com/qzDqvTKXox

— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) November 21, 2024

"This leads to undermining strategic stability, increasing strategic risks and, as a result, to an increase in the overall level of nuclear danger."

NATO took control of the Aegis Ashore Missile Defence System (AAMDS) amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine which completed its 1,000 days. 

"I am very glad that we are officially opening this base which will, just like the United States military, defend freedom and security in the world, Polish President Andrzej Duda said.

Poland joined the alliance in 1999. Sweden is the latest entrant in the alliance, it joined NATO this year. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - the three Baltic states - are also part of NATO and share a land border with Russia.

On the Ukraine front, the US has allowed Kyiv to use long-range ATACMS to strike deep into Russia, a restriction which was earlier placed by the White House to avoid any escalation in the war. UK-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles were used by Ukraine for the first time against Russia. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow has the right to strike military targets of countries whose weapons are used by Ukraine to hit Russian territory. A veiled warning to London and Washington.

Russia's NATO Expansion Narrative

Russia sees NATO's eastward expansion as a threat to its security and a violation of a so-called promise the US made to the USSR that the military alliance would not move further east in the aftermath of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Then Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev agreed to Germany's incorporation into NATO in 1990 and then US Secretary of State, James Baker, had told Gorbachev that it would not move beyond the inner German border, but Washington retreated from its position, a report from Chatham House said. 

One of the basis of the claim is then-German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher's speech in 1990, where he said, "No matter what happens in the Warsaw Pact countries, there will be no expansion of NATO territory to the east, that is, closer to the borders of the Soviet Union." This was made before the collapse of the USSR and the creation of independent nations in Eastern Europe.

Even Gorbachev in some interviews agreed about the existence of the verbal "agreement" but also refuted it in some. The narrative has been actively used by the Russians to justify actions in Ukraine, claiming that the US has moved further, threatening national security.

But, in 2018, French President Emmanuel Macron, at the 2018 St Petersburg International Economic Forum, said "I think that the mistake that was made in the last 20 years was that we in NATO failed to fully comply with all the obligations we had taken on, and this caused certain fears, quite reasonable ones. And we did not have the trust that Russia rightfully expected."

After the Russia-Ukraine war, many scholars have argued that the expansion of NATO has been a trigger to the war. 

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"Have Right To Strike...": Putin's Veiled Warning To US, UK

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Moscow has the right to strike military targets of countries whose weapons are used by Ukraine to hit Russian territory.

"We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against the military facilities of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities," Putin said.

"In the event of an escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond just as decisively," he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Had People United 500 Years Ago...": Yogi Adityanath On Colonialism

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said if the country was united 500 years ago, it would not have faced colonialism as he cited the construction of Ram temple that was completed in just two years due to the "unity" among 'Sanatanis'.

Addressing a gathering of saints and seers from across the country, Yogi Adityanath said the Ram temple issue was resolved after more than 500 years and the sacrifices of several generations under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.

"Had the country been united 500 years ago, it would not have faced colonialism," Yogi Adityanath said at the event.

The Chief Minister made the remarks after unveiling the grand Shri Rajagopuram Gate of Sugriva Fort in Ayodhya, according to an official statement.

"Memories of our past inspire us to guide society in the right direction. Unity is our greatest strength and when we stand together, no force in the world can weaken us," he said.

Referring to the construction of the Ram temple, Yogi Adityanath credited the unity among the followers of Sanatan Dharma as the foundation of the historic achievement.

He called for a firm stand against forces that weaken religion and society and urged people to distance themselves from anything harmful to the nation and to expose and isolate such elements.

"Exposing such elements and isolating them from society should be the work of religion," he said.

Highlighting the significance of Sugriva Fort, the chief minister shared its historical connection to Devaraha Baba and Lord Ram's exile.

He said that Bharat had prepared this site for Shri Ram's stay. The once narrow path to the fort has now been widened, making it more accessible, Yogi Adityanath said, adding that it was an integral part of Ayodhya's growth.

"Ayodhya is now not only a religious and spiritual centre but is also developing as the most beautiful city in the world," he added. The chief minister highlighted that the construction of an International Airport at Ayodhya has been completed. He emphasised that it is the responsibility of the people of Ayodhya to protect and preserve this heritage.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Netanyahu Makes Rare Gaza Visit, Says "Hamas Will Never Rule Again"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a rare visit to Gaza on Tuesday where he said Hamas shall never rule the Palestinian enclave again once the war is over. He also reaffirmed his pledge to annihilate the militant group and said that the Israeli armed forces have destroyed Hamas's military capabilities thoroughly.

Mr Netanyahu, seen in a battle vest and a ballistic helmet, stood at a seaside location in Gaza and recorded a video where he said "Hamas shall not return" and spoke about the Israeli hostages still in captivity.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said that the search for the remaining 101 Israeli hostages still missing in Gaza will continue. He even offered a $5 million reward for the return of each hostage.

He then went on to warn the terrorists by saying "Anyone who dares to harm our hostages will have blood on their head. We will hunt you down and get you."

Mr Netanyahu also said that "Whoever brings us a hostage will find a safe way. So, the choice is yours, but the result will be the same. We'll get them all back."

Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting Gaza to get a first-hand briefing of operational activities on ground by Israel's military. The Defence Minister and Army chief had accompanied him.

Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel marked the country's bloodiest day in its history, with 1,200 people killed and over 250 taken hostage. The attack, which triggered the over-year-long war so far, saw Israel respond with its most destructive offensive in Gaza ever, killing nearly 44,000 people and wounding 103,898, according to the Gaza health ministry, and turning the Strip into a wasteland of rubble with millions desperate for food, fuel, water and sanitation.

Israel, which has since the beginning of the war, targeted and killed several top Hamas leaders, has vowed to destroy the group entirely. While Israel and its Western allies have declared Hamas a terrorist group, Lebanon-based Hezbollah and Iran have been supporting it in its activities.

Hamas's supporters regard them as heroes leading the fight for Palestinian statehood, which had drifted off the international agenda.
 

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On Camera, Speeding Tempo Rams Bike, Drags It For 100 Metres In UP

A speeding pick-up truck in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi rammed into a car and then crashed into a bike that was crossing over from the wrong side, flinging the rider in the air and dragging the two-wheeler along the road for some 100 metres.

The bike rider sustained severe injuries and is undergoing treatment, sources said.

The accident took place under Navabad police station area but only the part where the biker was hit by the pick-up truck was recorded on CCTV.

Footage of the accident shared by police showed the speeding pick-up vehicle striking the two-wheeler that was crossing over from the wrong side.

As the rider is flung into the air before hitting the ground, his vehicle is dragged for at least 100 metres before it comes to a halt.

Police said a complaint has been filed and a case has been registered.

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Amid Russia-Ukraine Conflict, Why These Countries Are Preparing For War

Several European countries are advising their residents to be ready for war even as Russia and Ukraine witnessed a grim milestone recently - the 1,000th day of conflict. Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark have issued advisories that ask citizens to make sure they sustain themselves in case of a crisis.

While Sweden started sending out millions of pamphlets on Monday that contained information about how to prepare for war, natural disasters and cyber or terror attacks, Finland launched a website gathering information on preparedness for different crises.

The Swedish pamphlet says: "Military threat levels are increasing. We must be prepared for the worst-case scenario -- an armed attack on Sweden".

The 32-page booklet 'If Crisis Or War Comes' contains tips such as stocking up on non-perishable food and water, keeping cash on hand and growing fruit and vegetables in gardens.

"If Sweden is attacked by another country, we will never give up. All information to the effect that resistance is to cease is false," reads a line in the booklet.

It is an updated version of a pamphlet that Sweden has issued five times since World War II.

The new version doesn't mention Russia, Ukraine or any other country by name.

The brochure is available in print in both Swedish and English and digital versions are available in several other languages -- including Arabic, Farsi, Ukrainian, Polish, Somali and Finnish.

Finland's website asserts authorities are "well prepared for self-defence".

The country shares a 1,340-kilometre border with Russia and it has maintained a higher level of preparedness.

After Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, Finland announced plans to build a 200-kilometre border fence - 10 feet tall and topped with barbed wire - with Russia which is due to be completed by 2026.

Both Swedish and Finnish checklists include easy-to-cook food. Finland has also asked its citizens to arrange for a backup power supply.

Meanwhile, Norway has urged its citizens to be prepared to manage on their own for a week in the event of war and other threats.

"We have sent out 2.2 million paper copies, one for each household in Norway," BBC quoted Tore Kamfjord, responsible for the campaign of self-preparedness at the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB), as saying.

Tins of beans, energy bars, pasta, and medicines - including iodine tablets in case of a nuclear accident - are included in the list of items to be kept at home.

The Nordic neighbours Sweden and Finland dropped decades of military non-alignment to join the US-led defence alliance NATO in the wake of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Norway was a founding member of the Western defensive alliance.

Denmark's emergency management agency, as per a BBC report, emailed its citizens details on the water, food and medicine they would need to get through a crisis for three days.

On Tuesday, Vladimir Putin eased Russia's rules for nuclear strikes days after the US allowed Ukraine to fire long-range American-made missiles into Russian territory.

Twenty-three of the 32 NATO members - up from just three a decade ago - have now agreed to reach the target of spending two per cent of gross domestic product on defence.

The growing consensus, however, is that Europe will have to do more to make sure it can stand on its own.

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