In a recent discussion on the Oreshnik missile, Vladimir Putin emphasized that this modern weapon, though considered a modification of an old Soviet design by some Western experts, is indeed a new, medium to shorter-range missile. Putin highlighted that while Western air defense systems like THAAD and Patriot are advanced, they cannot stop the Oreshnik, even during its boost phase when it is most vulnerable. The idea of a technological experiment or “duel” was proposed to test the missile’s capabilities against concentrated air defense efforts, suggesting it could be “beneficial for both American and Russian sides.”

Editor’s Note: Are NATO’s weapons strong enough to stop Russia’s Oreshnik missiles? For Putin, there is only one way to find out. If the West is confident with its position, they can very quickly humiliate Putin by accepting his challenge.

It has been days since Putin issued his challenge, and the West has remained mum on the topic. In fact, if one Googles “Putin challenges NATO” only two media outlets covered the more than 4 hour marathon conference he held in Moscow – Economic Times and NBC news. Economic Times rephrased and diluted Putin’s challenge while the NBC coverage said nothing about it despite using the title “Putin Challenges West to ‘high tech duel’ in Kyiv”. Both news sources also did not offer a context to Putin’s challenge, making it seem as if Putin was only looking to start a confrontation.

Whether or not the West has the weaponry to stop Russia’s missile is no longer the issue here, but the West’s silence on this topic is very telling. Instead of an agreed target to test the missile’s power, the West has chosen to attack civilians. One can only be grateful that, to date, Putin has been exercising restraint despite the West’s continued push to escalate the war in Ukraine.

Watch Video Online.

Download Transcript