Optimistic and defiant, Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded the year with a four-hour-long televised conference titled “Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin.” He addressed the nation and reviewed key events from the past few months. Central themes included the ongoing conflicts in which Russia plays a significant role, a glimpse into the nation’s economy, and a challenging proposal directed at its historical enemy.
Uplifting spirits. In addition to discussing various topics, Putin took selected questions from regional journalists, war correspondents, and ordinary citizens.
Throughout the conference, the Russian leader maintained an optimistic tone, emphasizing military accomplishments, particularly in Ukraine and Syria. He said that the Russian military is meeting its objectives in what he refers to as a “special military operation.” According to Putin, Russian forces are gaining territory daily, and the changes on the front lines are “palpable."
No to Zelensky and “maybe” to Trump. Putin reiterated his refusal to recognize Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a legitimate interlocutor and said that he wouldn’t agree to any terms proposed by his government. However, the Russian leader expressed openness to future negotiations under specific conditions. According to Putin, Ukraine must adopt a neutral status, refrain from joining NATO, reduce its military capabilities, and have the West lift sanctions against Russia.
Additionally, Putin dismissed the idea of an immediate ceasefire, advocating instead for an agreement that would provide “security guarantees.” Ukraine and its allies quickly challenged Putin’s conditions and labeled them unacceptable.
However, Putin indicated he’s ready to meet with President-elect Donald Trump, suggesting he would be open to discussing peace proposals from the incoming U.S. administration.
Russian economy. During the event, Putin also addressed the impact of the prolonged invasion on the Russian economy. With annual inflation at 9.3%, the Russian Central Bank was compelled to raise interest rates to a historic 21% in October.
While Putin acknowledged these figures as “an alarming sign,” he assured that real wages and disposable incomes have shown growth. In fact, he claims the overall economic situation is “stable.”
Nuclear posture. The Kremlin leader emphasized the recent update to Russia’s nuclear doctrine. It allows for preemptive strikes in response to significant threats, including those posed by conventional forces backed by nuclear powers. He also showcased the Oreshnik ballistic missile as a demonstration of Russia’s military capability.
A missile duel. In a surprising turn of events, Putin suggested the idea of a “missile duel” with the U.S. in Ukraine to showcase the capabilities of Russia’s new Oreshnik hypersonic missiles against U.S. defense systems. His statements reflect a more aggressive military policy aimed at reinforcing the perception of Russian strength.
The proposal was met with skepticism and criticism, especially from Zelensky, who called it entirely irrational. According to Putin, both sides would need to choose a designated target for this hypothetical duel. It would effectively create a real game in which the selected area would be protected by U.S. missile defenses against Russian attacks. “We’re ready for such an experiment,” Putin said.
The Oreshnik’s issue. A hypothetical “missile duel” should clarify many doubts concerning Russia’s Oreshnik missile. While some information is known, Russia has never revealed the true capabilities of this combat hybrid. As such, many critical details remain undisclosed.
The missile was first launched at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Nov. 21. Putin framed this action as a response to Ukraine’s initial use of U.S. ATACMS and British Storm Shadow ballistic missiles to strike Russian territory, which was conducted with Western approval.
Origin and design. Analysts who recovered the launched missile have explained that the Oreshnik resembles an intermediate-range ballistic missile designed as a modification of the now-discontinued intercontinental RS-26 Rubezh. The Oreshnik has a maximum range of up to 3,400 miles, allowing it to cover most of Europe. However, it falls short of the Rubezh’s global range (3,700 miles).
The Oreshnik also exhibits physical differences, such as a smaller diameter, which indicates adaptations for targeting closer ranges. Although still theoretical, considering its similarities to the RS-26, it’s notable that the RS-26 was first developed in 2008 by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology. In addition, it’s striking that it’s a solid-fueled, mobile, intermediate-range ballistic missile.
Derived from the RS-24 Yars, it measures about 40 feet long and has a diameter of about 6 feet. While it achieved intercontinental ranges during tests, this was only possible with lighter payloads, which limited its operational range with nuclear or conventional warheads. This context helps provide insight into the possible capabilities of the Oreshnik missile.
Payload. The Oreshnik can carry up to six warheads, each equipped with submunitions. This design is unusual for long-range ballistic missiles, but analysts suggest that it uses existing technologies, optimizing their effectiveness without the need for complete redesigns. Although the recent attack in Dnipro caused no fatalities and limited damage to a factory, the incident underscores the missile’s destructive capability, even with inert warheads, due to the high speed at which they descend.
The war and its impact on the nation. Russia’s proposal, challenge, or bravado must be viewed in the context of ongoing events. It’s reasonable to assume that a missile duel could never actually take place. However, the very concept conveys a clear underlying message. The deployment of the Oreshnik aims not only to gain battlefield advantages but also to project the resilience of Russia’s military industry in the face of Western sanctions. As the longest-range missile used in Europe, the Oreshnik emphasizes the nation’s intention to demonstrate its technological superiority and its readiness to escalate the conflict if necessary.
On a related note, Putin concluded the televised event by acknowledging that the invasion of Ukraine has altered his personal outlook. He said that he’s lost his sense of humor and rarely laughs. He defended his decision to initiate the war in 2022, arguing that it prevented a national collapse. He even claimed that, given the chance, he would have initiated the offensive earlier and with better preparation. For Putin, the military operation not only saved Russia but also pulled it back from the “edge of the abyss.”
Image | Global Panorama
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