Russia eyes 'decision-making centers' as targets for new missile

Russia is eyeing a new missile to target Ukraine’s “decision-making centers,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.

Over the course of the nearly three-year-long war between Russia and Ukraine, no Ukrainian government ministries have been struck in conflict, Reuters noted.

While Ukraine has continued to intercept Russia’s attacks, the Russians say their new Oreshnik hypersonic missile is not capable of being intercepted. The Russians first deployed it last week.

Reuters noted Western officials are skeptical that it is incapable of being intercepted.

Putin said his forces will respond to Ukraine's ongoing strikes “with long-range Western-made missiles” and has plans to continue the tests of Oreshnik.

“At present, the Ministry of Defense and the General staff are selecting targets to hit on Ukraine territory. There could he military facilities, defense and industrial enterprises, or decision-making centers in Kyiv,” Putin said, per Reuters.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the attacks, saying Putin “does not want this war to end.”

“Putin wants to escalate the situation now to ensure that President Trump cannot succeed in bringing this war to an end,” Zelensky said on the social platform X.

Putin argued the massive Russian attack was in response to Ukraine’s use of U.S. long-range missiles. President Biden authorized the use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles recently, after Ukraine had requested them for months.

Putin noted in a speech that while he thinks Oreshnik is “not a weapon of mass destruction,” it is also “highly accurate,” the Kyiv Post reported.

The increase in activity comes as Russia deployed North Korean troops to the battlefield. Ukraine has continually sought aid as the war has dragged on, nearing the three-year mark.