On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of the hypersonic ballistic missile ‘Oreshnik’, marking a significant moment in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The missile, capable of reaching 5,000 kilometers and carrying multiple warheads, represents a major departure from Cold War deterrence doctrines. In response to military support from the U.S. and U.K. to Ukraine, Putin emphasized the missile’s capabilities, while the Pentagon questioned its classification. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack as a serious escalation of the conflict.