The new Oreshnik missile, announced by Russia on November 21, 2024, has quickly become the center of international attention.
This medium-range hypersonic weapon is considered a significant advance in Russia's missile capabilities - a advance that could have far-reaching consequences for both the Ukrainian conflict and international security in general, according to RT.
New weapons, not upgrades
President Vladimir Putin affirmed that the Oreshnik is not an upgrade of Soviet-era missile systems. Instead, it is a completely new weapon built on modern Russian technology.
Supersonic capability and accuracy
The Oreshnik missile is described as a high-precision medium-range weapon with hypersonic speeds.
"Due to the missile's attack power, especially when used in a large-scale, mass-use and even in combination with other high-precision long-range systems, the use of the Oreshnik will have the same power as strategic weapons," Putin said.
The missile is designed to fly at speeds of up to Mach 10 (about 12,200 km/h), which is about 10 times the speed of sound. The high speed makes it extremely difficult to intercept with current missile defense systems.
"There is currently no means in the world that can counter Oreshnik-style complexes," Putin asserted, explaining that Western missile defense systems, including those deployed in Western Europe, cannot intercept such fast-moving missiles.
First used in combat and in response to Ukraine
The Oreshnik missile was first used in combat on November 21, 2024, attacking a Ukrainian defense facility in the Dnepropetrovsk region.
Mr. Putin said that the attack was in response to Kiev's use of long-range missiles, such as the US ATACMS and the UK Storm Shadow, to strike deep into Russian territory.
"The regional conflict in Ukraine has had global elements," Putin said, stressing the broader impact of Western involvement.
Mass production and implementation
After a successful test and the first use of the new weapon, Russia announced the mass production of this system.
Mr. Putin confirmed that the missiles will be included in the Russian Strategic missile Forces, becoming an important part of Russia's long-term military strategy, with the potential for widespread deployment in the coming months.
Global impact and strategic importance
The Oreshnik missile has the potential to change the dynamics of the Ukrainian conflict. According to General Sergei Karakayev, head of Russia's Strategic missile Forces, the Oreshnik "can strike targets across Europe". This makes the missile not only a powerful weapon in the Ukrainian conflict but also one that could have broader geopolitical impact if tensions escalate further.
The new missile's accuracy and destructive power mean it could be used to target critical infrastructure in hostile countries. In Mr. Putin's view, the missile gives Russia a technological advantage that no other country can currently match.
International response and future developments
The Oreshnik missile has caused alarm in the West, worrying NATO members, as it is the first time such a system has been used and much remains unknown about the missile.
"What if Russia decides to target Lviv next?" CBS News quoted a US official as saying, referring to the city in western Ukraine, near the border with Poland.
Poland is particularly concerned about these new developments. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said there was a "serious and real" threat of global war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called it a "clear and serious escalation" by Russia. Mr Zelensky accused Mr Putin of using Ukraine as a "testing ground".
