Russia Unveils Hypersonic Missile ‘Oreshnik’ Following Airstrikes on Dnipro

Recent Developments in Dnipro, Ukraine

Dnipro, a city in Ukraine, recently experienced an unusual airstrike from Russia. Witnesses reported explosions that lasted for three hours. Shortly after this event, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of a new medium-range missile system called Oreshnik, which translates to “hazel” in Russian.

Putin claimed that this new missile travels at Mach 10, which is 10 times the speed of sound, reaching speeds of 2.5 to 3 kilometers per second. He stated there is currently no defense system capable of countering this new threat.

Ukrainian military intelligence described the Oreshnik as a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). They suggested it can reach speeds of Mach 11 and can hit targets 1,000 kilometers away within just 15 minutes. The Oreshnik missile is said to carry six warheads, with each containing six submunitions.

If Putin’s description is accurate and Ukrainian intelligence is correct, the Oreshnik missile may represent a significant advancement in missile technology, nearing the definition of hypersonic weapons. Higher speeds mean missiles reach their targets more quickly, leaving less time for military responses.

Typically, ballistic missiles follow a curved trajectory into the atmosphere and back down towards their targets. Once descending, they gain speed and kinetic energy, making interception by systems like the US Patriot very challenging. Russia’s goal with this faster missile is to reduce the interception success rate, which has been around 80% for missiles fired at Ukraine.

Military expert Ilya Kramnik stated that this new missile likely falls into the upper range of medium-range missiles, with potential ranges between 2,500 to 3,000 kilometers, possibly extending to 5,000 kilometers. However, he noted it is not classified as an intercontinental missile. This increased range could threaten most of Europe, though not the United States.

Analyst Vladislav Shurygin believes that the Oreshnik can bypass modern missile defense systems. He noted its ability to destroy deeply buried bunkers without needing nuclear warheads. Justin Crump, CEO of Sibylline, highlighted that this weapon increases the threat to Ukrainian air defenses. He stated that the enhanced speed and sophistication of these missiles pose a significant risk to Ukraine in the ongoing conflict.