Russian President Vladimir Putin says the new Oreshnik hypersonic missile used against Ukraine this week will go into serial production and is "ready to be used" again if necessary.

Vladimir Putin test-fired the “Oreshnik”, the Russian word for hazelnut tree, for the first time in combat on Thursday against the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. He later boasted that it had been designed for a “decisive” strike on Britain – and added a chilling warning.

President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Russia will continue to test and start mass-producing the hypersonic ballistic missile that it fired at Ukraine Thursday.

Unofficial reports suggest that the Oreshnik medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile might be the modern replacement for the Soviet-era Pioneer (RSD-10) missile system.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Nov. 21 announced his country had launched a new type of missile in an attack on Ukraine, a demonstration of military might meant to deter Kyiv's allies from further support against his full-scale invasion.

Officials have shared their concerns over the possible use of Vladimir Putin's new Oreshnik weapon. It comes following reports that airspace around a missle testing site has been shut off

Russia’s use of a new nuclear-capable hypersonic ballistic missile in Ukraine is not only escalating the war but lobbing an unmistakable threat at Europe and the West.