ALBAWABA - Russia tested its new missile system, “Oreshnik,” on Ukrainian soil, warning Western nations assisting Kyiv with powerful weapons. Russians call the new missile “hazelnut” and it boosts Moscow's strategic capabilities.
Friday, President Vladimir Putin unveiled the Oreshnik missile, a hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile. It can cover 2 to 3 kilometers per second at 10 Mach, or 13,000 kilometers per hour. This is beyond air defense systems' reach.
The missile has six warheads that can launch six submunitions. It may target several places with conventional, nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons. The Oreshnik can destroy half a city depending on the warhead.
Putin claims the Oreshnik missile is essential to preventing Western provocations in Ukraine and has ordered widespread manufacture. He said that the missile's speed and technology make any air defense system worthless.
Oreshnik is an intercontinental missile with a range of 3,000–5,500 kilometers. Its quick speed and precision targeting astonished Western military analysts after it was used to strike Dnipro, Ukraine.
Russia's Oreshnik missile stockpile remains unknown, but its unveiling shows its determination to strengthen its military and challenge Western influence in Ukraine.
The Oreshnik complicates the Russia-Ukraine war, raising the stakes.
