Rutte on strikes with the Oreshnik: Russia is trying to deter us from supporting Ukraine.

According to ТСН: The use of modern "Oreshnik" missiles by Russia only confirms Moscow's attempts to diminish the resolve of its allies and force them to withdraw their support for Ukraine.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized this during a joint press conference with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. He noted the recent escalations from the Russian Federation, particularly the use of ballistic missiles against Ukrainian cities.

"The brutal aggressive war of Russia continues, and just last week we saw the use of the 'Oreshnik' missile against Lviv, as well as ongoing attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure. Russia is trying to deter us from supporting Ukraine, but we will not succumb to intimidation," stated Mark Rutte.

He also stressed the importance of unity among all members of the Alliance, especially during increased pressure on the energy system and fronts this winter. According to Rutte, the stability of Ukraine is key to the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic region.

"As Ukraine faces tremendous pressure during this harsh winter, your support and the support of all NATO allies is more important than ever. The security of Ukraine is our security," added the head of the Alliance.

What is known about Russia's use of the 'Oreshnik' against Ukraine

On January 9, around midnight, Russia struck Lviv Oblast for the first time during the war with the 'Oreshnik' missile. The missile traveled on a ballistic trajectory at a speed of about 13 thousand km/h, which is considered "extremely high".

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that Russia deliberately struck with the 'Oreshnik' missile specifically at the territory of Lviv Oblast — near the borders of the European Union.

Furthermore, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs ironically responded to the threats made by Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev to strike Europe with the 'Oreshnik' missile.

These events indicate that Russia is actively using new types of weapons in the war against Ukraine, trying to break the morale not only of the Ukrainian army but also of international partners. For its part, NATO continues to emphasize the importance of consolidating efforts to ensure stability and security in the region.