Vladimir Putin has suffered a massive blow after Ukrainian drones attacked his top-secret super-weapon testing hub, denting possible hopes of Russia launching its ‘unstoppable’ Oreshnik missiles. Specialist military site Militarnyi revealed that   “Ukrainian drones attacked the 4th State Central Inter-Service Test Range Kapustin Yar in Astrakhan Region.”

According to reports, the daring pre-emptive attack broke through Russian air defences at a distance of around 500 miles, hitting an assembly and testing building at the site close to the border with Kazakhstan. The Ukrainian attack came as intelligence sources say Putin is poised to launch a devastating new attack on Volodymyr Zelensky’s state in the next day or two – possibly including deployment of the nuclear-capable 8,000mph Oreshnik “super-weapon”.

One Russian aim in a new blitzkrieg on Ukraine could be a “genocidal” campaign to destroy the country’s nuclear power plant substations in a bid to force people to surrender. Electricity transmission substations ensure the operation of the atomic power plants.

“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,” warned GUR military intelligence.

“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.

If Putin uses Oreshnik, it would be the second time this year, following a January 9 strike on Lviv.

The weapon is also seen as a significant danger to the European continent and from a base in Belarus could hit London in eight minutes, according to Russian sources.

The attacked 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 massive, top-secret Russian military rocket test site and former space launch base buried in the semi-arid steppe.

The feared new Putin onslaught comes as Kyiv is shivering in -17°C cold, with subzero temperatures forecast all week.

Already people across Ukraine are suffering from Russia’s concerted bid to hit civilians by obliterating the country’s energy generation system, now substantially crippled after a wave of strikes.

Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces officer Oleksandr Musiienko warned: “Russia is preparing. Their Tu-95 strategic bombers are already armed. “They may also launch Kalibr missiles – although weather could interfere.

“If there are storms, a launch is unlikely. But strategic aviation is getting ready, along with ballistic missiles and drones.”

He warned of a fresh Oreshnik strike to coincide with the annual Davos summit, attended by key world leaders in Switzerland.

Musiienko said Putin wants to intimidate the West, and at a minimum delay the signing in Davos of security and economic agreements for Ukraine.

“That’s the logic the enemy is pursuing,” he warned.

A 20-year-old woman was killed, and three others injured, in Russian overnight attacks on residential properties in Kharkiv.

Russia also targeted energy infrastructure in the Odesa region where temperatures dropped 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 hit on Sumy region.