Russia’s justification for using the new missile – first used against Ukraine in November – on the grounds of an alleged Ukrainian attack on a residence of President Vladimir Putin exposed the move “as pure manoeuvre,” he said.
The allegation of an attack on Putin’s residence had already been refuted, Meyer said. “Russia is further escalating here unprovoked,” he added.
The spokesman noted that the Oreshnik had been launched after Ukraine, the US and Europe had been working intensively for weeks towards a peace agreement. The attack would not change Germany’s determination to stand at Ukraine’s side, Meyer said.