Russia may attack Ukraine with ‘Oreshnik’ this weekend – Financial Times

Russia may attack Ukraine with its new “Oreshnik” missile this weekend.

This was reported anonymously to the Financial Times by a representative of the U.S. National Security Council.

“As Putin publicly stated, Russia intends to launch another experimental ‘Oreshnik’ missile against Ukraine, and it is quite possible that Russia will do so in the coming days,” the source said on Wednesday.

In recent days, the U.S. had already warned that in response to the shelling of Taganrog with American ATACMS missiles, Russia might strike Ukraine with the “Oreshnik.”

However, Moscow stated today that the morning strikes on energy infrastructure were already a response to the Taganrog incident.

The Kremlin also reacted positively to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s criticism of long-range strikes on Russia with American missiles.

“Trump’s statement that authorizing strikes deep into Russian territory leads to escalation aligns with the Kremlin’s position,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

However, Peskov noted that it is premature to assume Trump will revoke such authorizations or make concessions to Russia.

“Speculation that the resolution of the conflict will become easier with the new U.S. president is premature. What actions he will take remains to be seen. The Kremlin is awaiting steps from the future U.S. administration regarding Ukraine but remembers the rich history of unfriendly actions towards Russia during Trump’s previous term,” the Kremlin spokesperson added.