After Trump sends nuclear subs near Russia, Putin responds with hypersonic threat — what Oreshnik missiles can do
Putin confirms Oreshnik hypersonic missile is ready for deployment
In a televised address on August 1, 2025, President Vladimir Putin declared that Russia's long-awaited Oreshnik hypersonic missile is no longer just a prototype. The missile, which Russia claims can travel at speeds of Mach 10, is now officially in serial production and considered militarily operational.
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Putin emphasized that several missile units have already been handed over to the Strategic Missile Forces, and preparations for the missile's deployment in Belarus are underway. The announcement marks a major step in Russia's military buildup and a direct challenge to NATO, particularly as Belarus borders several alliance member states.
What is the Oreshnik missile and why is it a global game-changer?
The Oreshnik missile, named after the Russian word for 'hazel tree,' is a hypersonic ballistic missile derived from the RS-26 Rubezh ICBM platform. Russian officials claim the missile is capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 10 (nearly 3,400 m/s) and is able to evade most current missile defense systems due to its high speed, unpredictable trajectory, and potential to carry multiple warheads.
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Unlike conventional missiles, the Oreshnik's maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) allows it to shift direction mid-flight, making it nearly impossible for U.S. or NATO missile defense systems to intercept. It's designed to carry either conventional explosives or nuclear warheads, giving Russia enormous flexibility in both tactical and strategic military planning.
Key specifications of Russia's Oreshnik hypersonic missile
Feature
Details
Type
Hypersonic Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM)
Speed
Up to
Mach 10
(~12,000 km/h)
Range
3,400–5,500 km
Warhead
Conventional or nuclear (with MIRV capability)
Launch Platform
Road-mobile or silo-based
First Use
Tested in Ukraine (November 2024, non-nuclear warhead)
Deployment
Scheduled in Belarus by
end of 2025
Hypersonic weapons shift the global military balance
Putin's announcement isn't just a show of technological might—it's also a powerful geopolitical signal. Hypersonic weapons are quickly becoming one of the most sought-after military technologies in the world. With the Oreshnik entering full service, Russia joins an elite club of nations capable of deploying next-generation missile systems that can potentially bypass all existing Western defenses.
Western military analysts have long warned that hypersonic missiles could undermine the balance of power, particularly if deployed in forward locations like Belarus, which is only a few hundred kilometers from major NATO capitals such as Warsaw, Vilnius, and Riga.
Belarus becomes a launchpad for Russian hypersonic threats
The decision to station Oreshnik missiles in Belarus—a staunch Russian ally—raises serious concerns for NATO. Belarus is located at the doorstep of the European Union and shares borders with Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania, all NATO member states.
Putin confirmed that deployment sites in Belarus have already been selected, and construction work is progressing rapidly. The first missiles are expected to be in position before the end of the year, dramatically shrinking the warning time for any NATO defense systems in the region.
This comes after Russia formally extended its nuclear umbrella to cover Belarus in 2024, a move that effectively treats any attack on Belarus as an attack on Russian soil. With hypersonic weapons now joining that defensive perimeter, the strategic landscape in Eastern Europe may be changed for years to come.
Western experts split on the true capabilities of Oreshnik
While Russia touts the Oreshnik as unstoppable and revolutionary, not all defense analysts are convinced. Some Western experts believe the missile is simply a rebranded version of older IRBM systems equipped with maneuverable glide vehicles.
'It's fast, and that makes interception hard,' says Michael Bohnert from the RAND Corporation. 'But it's also expensive, and its actual battlefield value is questionable without nuclear payloads.'
Grace Mappes, a senior analyst at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), agrees, noting that while the Oreshnik adds to Russia's intimidation tools, it doesn't fundamentally change the military dynamics:
'This is more about messaging than military superiority. Russia already has missiles that can strike Europe. This just adds another layer to the threat.'
Still, the psychological effect of placing hypersonic-capable missiles so close to NATO territory cannot be overstated. Even if they are not used, their presence alone could force Western leaders to recalculate their military strategies, especially in how they support Ukraine or conduct exercises near Russia's borders.
Will NATO respond to the Oreshnik threat?
The U.S. and NATO are now under increased pressure to upgrade their missile defense systems across Eastern Europe. Systems like the
SM-3 Block IIA
,
SM-6
, and Israel's
Arrow-3
have potential hypersonic interception capabilities, but their actual effectiveness against systems like the Oreshnik remains unproven in live combat.
There are also growing calls within NATO to accelerate deployment of advanced radar systems and expand their counter-hypersonic initiatives in Poland, Romania, and the Baltic states. If Russia proceeds with full deployment in Belarus, NATO will likely need to rethink its entire missile defense posture on the alliance's eastern flank.
Strategic implications of Russia's new missile era
The deployment of the Oreshnik missile system marks more than just a military milestone—it signifies a strategic realignment of Eastern Europe and adds a dangerous new element to the broader conflict between Russia and the West.
Here's why this matters:
It reduces warning time for European capitals
: Missiles launched from Belarus could reach Warsaw in under 3 minutes.
It raises the risk of miscalculation
: The presence of dual-capable (conventional or nuclear) weapons increases the chances of unintended escalation.
It pressures NATO's cohesion
: Countries closer to Russia's borders may now demand more aggressive deterrence strategies, potentially leading to political friction within the alliance.
It strengthens Russia's negotiating position
: Hypersonic missiles add to Putin's leverage in any future diplomatic talks involving Ukraine, NATO expansion, or sanctions relief.
Is a new era of global missile warfare has begun?
Russia's announcement that its Oreshnik hypersonic missile has entered full production and will soon be deployed in Belarus marks the start of a dangerous new chapter in global security. While its full impact remains to be seen, the move already poses a direct threat to NATO countries and shifts the strategic dynamics in Europe.
Whether the Oreshnik proves to be a true 'game-changer' or more of a symbolic escalation, its development and deployment will likely push the U.S. and its allies into a new arms race focused on hypersonic weapons, missile defense upgrades, and renewed defense spending.
For now, one thing is clear: the world has entered a new age of missile warfare, and the consequences will ripple far beyond Eastern Europe.
FAQs:
What is Russia's Oreshnik hypersonic missile and why is it important?
It's a Mach 10 missile capable of evading NATO defenses, now being deployed in Belarus.
Why is Oreshnik missile deployment in Belarus worrying NATO?
It puts NATO capitals within minutes of strike range, raising fears of escalation.
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