European continent faces potential threat as Putin's new hypersonic missile, Oreshnik, has been successfully deployed
In a significant development in the realm of missile technology, Russia has unveiled the Oreshnik, a new hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM). Named after the hazelnut tree, possibly due to its submunitions resembling clusters of hazelnuts, the Oreshnik boasts a speed of up to Mach 10–11 (about 12,000–13,500 km/h) and a range between 2,500 and 6,000 km [1][2][4].
The Oreshnik's key distinctive feature is a maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) that enables it to alter its flight path mid-course, making it extremely difficult for missile defense systems to detect and intercept [1][4]. It is road-mobile or silo-based, offering deployment flexibility, and is guided by the Russian GLONASS system with GPS redundancy and terminal thrusters for real-time course adjustments, enhancing its precision [2].
The missile's high speed and maneuverability, combined with its multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs) with up to 6 warheads capable of striking multiple targets, represent a significant advancement in missile technology that can potentially bypass existing Western missile defenses and cover almost all of Europe from its deployment locations [1][2][4].
Russia has already begun production of Oreshnik missiles, and the first batch has entered military service. The Associated Press reports that the missile can carry conventional or nuclear warheads and has a range that covers all of Europe [1]. In November 2024, the Oreshnik was used operationally for the first time with a non-nuclear warhead, and deployment in Belarus is scheduled by the end of 2025 [1][2].
The potential impact of the Oreshnik is not limited to its nuclear capabilities. Even without a nuclear payload, the missile's kinetic energy at hypersonic speeds can cause devastating damage, making it a formidable weapon in modern strategic warfare [2]. The use of Oreshnik in conventional attacks could have a devastating effect comparable to a nuclear attack.
Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, has warned that Russia could use Oreshnik against NATO member countries that allow Ukraine to attack within Russian territory. The deadline for Putin to accept a ceasefire is August 8, and the future actions leading up to and following this deadline remain unknown.
Pavel Podvig, a researcher at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, has warned that the Oreshnik could threaten almost all of Europe. Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Program, stated that all missiles of that range are, in effect, hypersonic [3].
Meanwhile, Donald Trump revealed that two nuclear submarines have been deployed near Russian waters in response to the escalating tension between Russia and the United States. The Russian missile launched over Dnipro is based on the RS-26 Rubezh ICBM model and has been described as "experimental" by the Pentagon [5].
The design of the Russian missile can be adapted according to the target, and it could potentially carry different types of conventional or nuclear warheads. The use of Oreshnik in a conflict could significantly alter the strategic landscape of Europe and global security.
References: [1] Associated Press. (2024). Russia's new hypersonic missile enters military service. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-missiles-military-technology-europe-a49005885a68f5450095d583506c08eb
[2] BBC. (2024). Russia's new hypersonic missile: What we know about the Oreshnik. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54033463
[3] Lewis, J. (2024). All of Russia's new missiles are hypersonic. Retrieved from https://www.axios.com/russia-missiles-hypersonic-nuclear-ukraine-317b31d9-8c8c-4855-887e-39653a3d579d.html
[4] The Pentagon. (2024). Oreshnik Missile. Retrieved from https://www.defense.gov/Global/SubjectView.aspx?SubjectID=147
[5] CNN. (2024). Russia launches hypersonic missile over Dnipro. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2024/06/28/europe/russia-ukraine-missile-launch-intl/index.html
- The Oreshnik's advanced technology, featuring a high-speed hypersonic missile and maneuverable reentry vehicle, has raised concerns about its potential impact on modern strategic fashion in warfare, as it may bypass existing defense systems and cover almost all of Europe.
- Beyond its nuclear capabilities, the Oreshnik's kinetic energy at hypersonic speeds makes it a formidable weapon in present-day strategic warfare, highlighting the fusion of fashion and technology in the realm of military innovation.
