Kremlin confirms automatic alert sent to US over "Oreshnik" missile launch

Moscow has issued an automatic warning to Washington following the launch of the "Oreshnik" missile, which is classified as a ballistic missile, as confirmed by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

Peskov explained that the warning was sent from the Russian National Centre for Reducing Nuclear Danger (NCUYA) to its American counterpart, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

These centres operate automatically and maintain continuous communication, he added.

"This missile is not intercontinental, but a medium-range missile. Therefore, Russia is not obligated to notify about this launch, but there is the NCUYA... In automatic mode, a warning was sent 30 minutes before the launch because the missile is of short and medium range," Peskov said during a press briefing.

The launch of the supersonic "Oreshnik" missile, according to Peskov, showcased Russia's capabilities and "the contours of further retaliatory actions" should "our concerns not be taken into account."

Moscow would have preferred Washington to heed the statements made by President Vladimir Putin a few months ago, Peskov added.

The current US administration had the opportunity to study and understand the Russian president's recent comments, he said.

Peskov further noted that no contacts had been made with the current US administration. However, he emphasised that Putin's statement made the previous day was "very, very comprehensive, clear, and logical."

"We have no doubt that the current administration in Washington had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with this statement and understand it," Peskov told reporters.

Meanwhile, Putin’s threat of missile attacks on Britain has been dismissed as 'bluster' by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who stressed that it would not deter support for Ukraine. Putin confirmed Russia had tested a new intermediate-range missile in response to Ukraine firing long-range missiles supplied by the UK and US into Russian territory.

The missile strike, which hit Dnipro, was claimed by Kyiv’s air force to be an intercontinental ballistic missile, though the Kremlin described it as a medium-range weapon.

In a televised address, Putin warned that Russia reserved the right to target military facilities in countries supplying Ukraine with long-range weapons. However, Cooper reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to Ukraine, stating that such threats would not change their stance.

To recap, Russian forces have accelerated their advances in eastern Ukraine, with British defence officials noting increased territorial gains despite heavy casualties. Ukrainian forces have regained ground near Pokrovsk amid ongoing missile and drone attacks by Russia, including a deadly drone strike in Sumy.

By Aghakazim Guliyev