Putin On Hitting Kyiv With “Oreshnik”, Nuclear Threats, and the Crumbling Ruble

Here’s some key statements he made.

On ATACMS attacks on Russia

Putin revealed that the country had been targeted twice with ATACMS missiles after the deployment of the “Oreshnik” missile system.

However, he said the damage caused was minimal.

Previously, the Russian Ministry of Defense has confirmed Ukraine’s usage of US-supplied ATACMS long-range ballistic missiles in the Kursk region and declared the preparation of retaliatory measures.

On striking Kyiv with “Oreshnik”

Putin stated that the new “Oreshnik” missile could be used for strikes on decision-making centers in Kyiv.

When asked whether Russia would target Ukraine’s leadership, Putin responded: “Today, anything is possible during the day.”

He emphasized the missile’s destructive power, claiming it reduces everything at the epicenter to “elementary particles, essentially turning into dust.”

On Ukraine and nuclear weapons

Putin stated that Moscow would not allow Kyiv to acquire nuclear weapons. He stressed that Russia would take “all necessary measures to prevent it.”

Putin also stated that if Ukraine were to acquire nuclear weapons, Russia would employ all available means to counter such a move.

“We will use all our capabilities to respond,” he said.

On ruble crisis

Putin assured that the situation with the ruble exchange rate was under control, emphasizing that there were no grounds for panic despite external pressures.

Russia’s ruble tumbled to 114.5 against the US dollar, following the US Treasury Department’s decision to impose sweeping sanctions on 50 Russian banks, including Gazprombank.

On the frontline situation

Putin claimed that the Russian army was advancing steadily across nearly the entire front in Ukraine and would continue to occupy new positions.

He also hinted at the possibility of creating a separate branch of the military for drones.

On dialogue with Trump

Putin expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with US President-elect Donald Trump about the war in Ukraine if Trump takes the initiative.

“The newly elected president will say, 'It’s not me, it’s the people who have lost their minds. I have nothing to do with it. Shall we talk? ' Of course, that’s one option,” he said.

On Germany and US

Putin said that the German authorities are not acting in the interests of the people but are simply agreeing with whatever the US says.

“It feels like if they were told, 'We will hang you, ' their only question would be: 'Should we bring the rope ourselves, or will you provide it? '