Estonia says hype around Putin's Oreshnik missile outweighed its results

Toomas Vali, head of the operational department of the Estonian Defence Forces' General Staff, has stated that despite heavy pressure from Russia, Ukraine's defences are holding, and the use of Russia's "miracle weapon" Oreshnik was merely demonstrative. Source: ERR, an Estonian public broadcaster; European Pravda Details: Vali emphasised that Ukraine's defence remains unbroken despite Russia's heavy pressure.

Commenting on the past week of the Russo-Ukrainian war, Vali highlighted Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

"Ukraine has been resisting Russia for 1,010 days and its defence remains unbroken, despite all difficulties," he said. Vali noted challenges for Ukraine regarding domestically produced ammunition. Estonian intelligence reported that Russia launched over 100 Shahed-type drones over three consecutive nights in mid-November.

Additionally, after a months-long pause since late August, Russia carried out a large-scale missile attack on 17 November, involving multiple types of missiles, severely damaging Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

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Vali also addressed the 21 November attack on the city of Dnipro, where Russia launched a mid-range RS-26 (Oreshnik) missile in what he described as a demonstrative strike. Quote: "It was clearly a demonstrative strike on the city of Dnipro.

It is now evident that this is not some 'miracle weapon' and the hype was far greater than the results." However, Vali expressed concern about such attacks, noting that while Ukraine adheres to international war laws, particularly concerning drone strikes, Russia does not. The head of the operational department also noted a rise in double-strike tactics, where an initial targeted strike is followed by another at the same location.

"The aim is to kill rescue workers, medical personnel and anyone responding to help," Vali explained. He stated that six such double strikes were recorded in 2022, ten in 2023, and twenty in 2024.

The Pokrovsk frontScreenshot: DeepState map.

Vali stressed that on the ground, Ukrainian forces continue to hold the front lines despite ongoing Russian offensives in various directions. He emphasised that there are no signs of front line breaches on the Pokrovsk or Kurakhove fronts.

In Kharkiv Oblast, Russian forces are attempting to cross the Oskil River and increasing pressure on Kupiansk.

The Kupiansk frontScreenshot: DeepState map.

Quote: "The Russian Federation's success is not significant.

There are no indications that could dramatically change the situation there."

Background:

On 22 November, Estonia's Ministry of Defence stated that Russia's mid-range ballistic missile strike was a political demonstration.
Similarly, UK intelligence assessed that Russia launched the experimental Oreshnik missile to send a strategic message after Western approval of Ukraine's use of long-range weapons for strikes deep into Russian territory.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that Vladimir Putin's sabre-rattling with the Oreshnik missile is aimed solely at disrupting the efforts of President Trump to end the war.

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