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Putin calls Oreshnik missile development ‘an historic event’ for space rocket industry

Russian President also said that he had handed down direct instructions to produce and test-fire the Oreshnik hypersonic missile

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. The production and test-fire of the Oreshnik hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile has become an historic event for the domestic space rocket industry, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with VGTRK journalist Pavel Zarubin on Sunday.

"The Oreshnik is not an event of the year. It is an historic event in the space rocket industry. Nothing of this kind has ever taken place with regard to this type of weapons," the Russian leader stressed.

Putin also said that he had handed down direct instructions to produce and test-fire the Oreshnik hypersonic missile.

"Quite profound," the head of state said, assessing his role in passing final decisions on the breakthrough Oreshnik missile.

"There were different opinions at the Defense Ministry on that score. Finally, I joined those who believed that, firstly, it was necessary to produce it - and I gave instructions to do this and allocate required funds - and, secondly, I agreed with those who believed that it was time to test it in combat conditions," Putin said.

"So, this, of course, is part of my work," the Russian leader said.

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