UKRAINIAN forces have struck Vladimir Putin’s top secret super-weapons testing hub in a sophisticated drone assault, military sources say.
The daring operation was aimed at thwarting Russian capabilities to launch more nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles – terrifying hypersonic rockets branded “unstoppable” by mad Vlad.
Ukraine’s state-of-the-art drones struck the 4th State Central Inter-Service Test Range Kapustin Yar, in Astrakhan Region, according to specialist military site Militarnyi.
The impressive blitz broke through Putin’s air defence systems before hitting an assembly and testing site close to the Kazakhstan border around 500 miles away.
The pre-emptive strikes came amid intelligence warnings that the Russian tyrant was poised to launch another devastating 8,000mph Oreshnik on Ukraine in the coming days.
The dreaded weapon – capable of holding nuclear warheads – has only been unleashed by Putin twice since the start of his bloody 2022 invasion.
It was last launched on January 9 when Russian forces struck the western region of Lviv with the menacing missile.
Intelligence reports also warn that Putin is plotting a wider “genocidal” attack to plunge the country into chaos and force surrender.
Amid Ukraine‘s worsening energy situation, the dictator is planning to destroy the country’s nuclear power plant substations.
The potential attacks could leave even more civilians without power amid freezing winter temperatures.
Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this month declared a state of emergency in the energy sector – with a particular focus on Kyiv – as countless locals continue to live without electricity or heating.
Ukraine‘s intelligence ministry (GUR) said: “As part of its pressure campaign, Moscow also plans to intensify intimidation of European countries and the West in general in order to restrain support for Ukraine, in particular our ability to repel Russian terrorist air strikes on critical energy infrastructure facilities.”
Kyiv is currently shivering in -17°C – with sub-zero temperatures forecast all week.
“The Kremlin’s intentions to attack substations in order to destroy generation at Ukrainian nuclear power plants in such a hybrid manner once again demonstrate the genocidal nature of Russia’s war against Ukraine,” said the GUR.
The Oreshnik is also seen as a significant danger to Europe.
Putin has deployed some of the horrifying weapons to a base in Belarus – which could strike London in just eight minutes.
The targeted Kapustin Yar range is also used to test short- and medium-range missiles, cruise missiles, air defence systems and S-400 launchers.
It is a sprawling, top-secret Russian military rocket test site and former space launch base hidden away in the semi-arid steppe.
Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces officer Oleksandr Musiienko warned of a fresh Oreshnik strike as part of a larger devastating attack.
He said: “Russia is preparing, their Tu-95 strategic bombers are already armed.
“They may also launch Kalibr missiles – although weather could interfere.”
The officer added: “Strategic aviation is getting ready, along with ballistic missiles and drones.”
He suggested a new Oreshnik strike could coincide with the annual Davos summit, attended by key world leaders in Switzerland.
Musiienko said Putin wants to intimidate the West.
He said the strike could delay security and economic agreements made in Davos for Ukraine.
“That’s the logic the enemy is pursuing,” he warned.
It comes as Putin continues to launch brutal attacks across Ukraine.
Over Saturday night, a 20-year-old woman was killed and three others injured in Russian attacks on civilian homes in Kharkiv.
Putin also targeted energy infrastructure in the Odesa region where temperatures plummeted to -12°C.
At least six people were injured in Putin strikes on Dnipropetrovsk region, and a seven year old boy was hurt in a blitz on Sumy.
