Kathrine Frich
Putin detailed exactly how the operation worked.
Modern warfare often turns real landscapes into grim testing grounds. Sometimes, generals launch their latest hardware right in the middle of an active conflict. Now, one prominent leader has openly admitted to doing exactly that.
Exposing a secret
According to a report by Romanian outlet Digi24, citing the Kyiv Independent, Russian President Vladimir Putin recently addressed a late May missile strike. He discussed the launch of an Oreshnik ballistic missile over the Kyiv region.
This is not the first time the Oreshnik has appeared. Moscow previously fired the six-warhead weapon at Dnipro in November 2024 and at the Lviv region in January.
But the May 24 attack was not a standard military operation. The Russian leader claimed his forces were merely gathering data.
He openly shared his motives during a Thursday press conference. The Associated Press reported his exact words. “I will reveal a state military secret of great importance. We simply struck where it was easier to observe the results,” Putin stated.
Watching the impact
He went on to say that the weapon was not fired for a tactical advantage. The goal was purely observational.
“There was no combat use of the Oreshnik missile, in the true sense of the word, on the territory of Ukraine,” he added.
Russian forces sent recording equipment to watch the strike hit a rural target. Putin detailed exactly how the operation worked.
“Our drones flew to the barn, hit it and simply observed how the expandable blocks were laid out. They calculated everything with millimeter accuracy,” the president said.
A grim warning
The recent test flight carries a dark promise for the future. The Russian leader suggested the data will help his generals plan massive future strikes.
“This was important for making a decision on the future use of the Oreshnik missile in full format on designated targets, including those located in populated areas,” he added.
That statement raises serious international legal concerns. The Geneva Conventions classify intentional attacks on civilian homes and barns as war crimes.
Violence against non-military targets remains a daily reality across the country. Just days before Putin spoke, Russia launched a massive drone and missile barrage on June 2.
The human cost
That recent nighttime assault hit multiple cities, including areas near the capital. The human toll was catastrophic.
Local officials confirmed that at least 23 people died in the widespread strikes. Two children were among the victims.
Emergency crews also treated 130 wounded citizens. As new weapons enter the fray, the danger for ordinary people continues to grow.
Sources: Digi24, Kyiv Independent, Associated Press
