Putin's Oreshnik missile sparks panic — what's inside this weapon alarming the US and EU?

Time of India

27-06-2025

Oreshnik missile is Russia's newest hypersonic weapon now entering mass production after proving its power in Ukraine. Announced by President Vladimir Putin, the Oreshnik can reach speeds of Mach 10, carry multiple warheads, and strike targets as far as 5,500 km. Its first combat use was in Dnipro, Ukraine, where it destroyed a defense plant. Now, with plans to deploy it in Belarus, tensions are rising. Ukraine demands sanctions on over 20 Russian defense firms involved. With unmatched speed and range, the Oreshnik missile is shaping the future of warfare—and possibly the balance of power across Europe.
Russia begins mass production of the Oreshnik missile, a Mach 10 hypersonic weapon tested in Ukraine. With powerful warheads and long range, this missile could reshape defense strategies across Europe, as tensions rise and Ukraine urges fresh sanctions on Russian firms.
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What exactly is the Oreshnik missile, and how deadly is it?
How does Oreshnik compare with other Russian hypersonic missiles?
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Why is Ukraine calling for new sanctions over the Oreshnik?
What are Russia's deployment plans for the Oreshnik missile?
Is the Oreshnik a response to the collapse of the INF Treaty?
Could a missile 'duel' with the U.S. really happen?
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Russia has officially begun mass production of its advanced Oreshnik missile system, a next-generation hypersonic weapon that has already seen real combat use in Ukraine. The announcement came directly from President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with military academy graduates, signaling Moscow's renewed focus on strategic missile development amid rising global tensions. Described as an intermediate-range ballistic missile, the Oreshnik has reportedly been built to outmaneuver existing Western missile defense systems with speeds reaching Mach 10 and carrying warheads powerful enough to rival a nuclear strike—without technically being one.The Oreshnik missile system, classified as a medium-to-intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), can reportedly strike targets up to 5,500 kilometers away. The weapon made headlines in November 2024 after being used for the first time in Ukraine. Launched from Russia's Astrakhan region, it struck the Pivdenmash defense plant in Dnipro from 1,000 kilometers away.According to Russian officials, the missile can carry multiple warheads—six in this instance—and delivers destruction so intense that it allegedly reduces targets into dust, with heat levels reportedly reaching 7,000 degrees Celsius. Although President Putin claims Oreshnik is not a nuclear weapon, its destructive potential has drawn comparisons to nuclear arms due to the sheer scale of damage it can inflict.The Oreshnik missile joins Russia's existing hypersonic lineup, which includes the Kinzhal, Tsirkon, and Avangard systems. All these weapons are designed to fly at hypersonic speeds—over five times the speed of sound—and follow unpredictable paths, making them extremely hard to intercept.Putin insists that Oreshnik stands apart, calling it unmatched and 'without analogues in the world.' He said the missile is so fast and agile that 'no air defense system, including those from the U.S. or NATO, can intercept it.' However, Western analysts have pushed back on that claim. For example, Michael Bohnert, a defense expert at RAND, noted that while the Oreshnik's speed and range are concerning, its practical battlefield impact might be overstated, especially given the high cost and limited payload.Following its debut, Ukraine labeled the Oreshnik a serious threat. President Volodymyr Zelensky has been urging Western allies to impose more targeted sanctions on Russian defense firms involved in the missile's production. As of June 20, Zelensky said 39 Russian defense companies are tied to the missile project—but only 18 of them are currently under Western sanctions. That leaves 21 firms able to continue sourcing key components without restrictions.'Without these parts, there will be no Oreshnik,' Zelensky warned in a press briefing, as reported by the Kyiv Independent. The Ukrainian president emphasized that these missiles aren't just a battlefield concern—they're also a looming threat to European stability.In a further escalation, Russia has also announced plans to station Oreshnik missile systems in Belarus, echoing its earlier deployment of Iskander missiles there. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed in March 2025 that Belarus is preparing launchers for the system and is waiting on delivery of the missiles.Putin also stated in late 2024 that the Oreshnik would be assigned to Russia's Strategic Missile Forces, the branch responsible for managing the country's long-range nuclear arsenal. This placement suggests that Moscow sees the Oreshnik as more than just a regional threat—it could be positioned for broader strategic use.Many experts believe that the Oreshnik is a direct outcome of the U.S. withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 2019. The treaty, signed in 1987 between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union, banned all land-based missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. After Washington exited the agreement, citing Russian violations, Moscow resumed work on new missile systems, including the RS-26 Rubezh—believed to be the blueprint for Oreshnik.At a recent CSTO Summit in Astana, Putin echoed this view. 'There are no analogues of the Oreshnik missile system in the world,' he said, adding that 'such analogues are unlikely to appear soon.'In a provocative statement last December, Putin proposed a 'duel' between the Oreshnik and U.S. missile defense systems to showcase the missile's effectiveness. 'We're ready for such an experiment,' he said, according to Russian state media.However, analysts have been quick to tamp down the theatrics. Grace Mappes of the Institute for the Study of War said Russia has long possessed missiles capable of hitting NATO territories and that Oreshnik simply makes 'an old threat look new.' She pointed out that the existence of such missiles doesn't drastically shift the military balance but does introduce added pressure on the West to beef up missile defense systems.The Oreshnik missile's entry into mass production is clearly a major step for Russia's missile strategy. Whether it lives up to the hype or not, the weapon is already reshaping the security dialogue across Europe and the U.S. With growing calls for sanctions, potential deployments in Belarus, and increasing tension on the battlefield, the missile's impact may reach far beyond its physical range.The Oreshnik missile is used for high-speed, long-range precision strikes in warfare.Ukraine fears it could cause major destruction and wants sanctions to stop its production.