How Russia’s Hypersonic Oreshnik Missile Operates
Russia has again deployed its hypersonic Oreshnik missile, a medium-range ballistic weapon President Vladimir Putin claims is impossible to intercept. The launch, announced by Moscow on Friday, followed what Russian officials described as an attempted Ukrainian drone strike on one of Putin’s residences—an allegation Kyiv has dismissed as false.
Second Use of Oreshnik in Ukraine Conflict
This marks only the second confirmed use of the Oreshnik missile since its first test on 21 November 2024, when Russia said it targeted a military factory in Ukraine. Ukrainian sources at the time reported that the missile carried dummy warheads and caused limited damage.
According to Russia’s Defence Ministry, the latest Oreshnik was launched from the Kapustin Yar test range near the Caspian Sea and struck a target inside Ukraine. The Ukrainian air force confirmed the missile’s use on Friday, identifying it as part of Moscow’s ongoing series of high-velocity strikes.
Capabilities and Design Features
Named after the Russian word for “hazel tree,” the Oreshnik is an intermediate-range, hypersonic ballistic missile said to travel at more than ten times the speed of sound. It can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads, although officials indicated that the most recent strike used a conventional payload.
The missile’s design allows it to release multiple warheads that manoeuvre independently in space, complicating interception by air defence systems. Graphics released by Reuters illustrate how debris disperses upon separation, showing the missile’s warhead alignment and targeting sequence.
Putin has compared the Oreshnik’s destructive capability, even with non-nuclear warheads, to that of smaller tactical nuclear weapons. He has also presented it as proof of Russia’s advanced military technology amid its confrontation with the West.
Western Reactions and Skepticism
Despite Russia’s claims, several Western defence officials have questioned the missile’s purported performance. In December 2024, a U.S. official said the Oreshnik was not considered a “game-changer” on the battlefield, pointing to limited evidence of its precision and impact.
The renewed use of the Oreshnik underscores Moscow’s continued reliance on high-speed missile technology as the conflict in Ukraine persists into its third year.
with inputs from Reuters
