Russia’s recently used Oreshnik missile in attacks on Ukraine has become the centre of global attention with defence experts and world leaders closely discussing its capabilities and strategic impact.
The Oreshnik missile whose name means ‘Hazel Tree’ is a medium range hypersonic ballistic missile. Russia had previously used it only once against Ukraine in November 2024 before the latest reported attacks.
According to defence experts the missile’s most unique feature is its ability to carry multiple warheads at the same time. After launch these warheads can separate in the air and strike different targets simultaneously.
This technology is usually found in long range intercontinental ballistic missiles but Russia has incorporated it into this medium range missile system which is believed to be based on the Russian RS-26 Rubezh missile.
Like several other Russian weapons systems the Oreshnik missile is capable of carrying both conventional explosives and nuclear warheads although there is no evidence that nuclear material was used in the recent strikes.
Ukrainian officials claimed that during a January attack the missile’s speed was recorded at nearly 13,000 kilometres per hour which is several times faster than the speed of sound.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that the missile is impossible to intercept in flight and said that even with conventional explosives its destructive power could be comparable to a nuclear weapon. However Western defence experts consider these claims exaggerated.
In December 2024 a US official said the missile should not yet be viewed as a game changing weapon because it remains in the experimental stage and Russia currently possesses only a limited number of these missiles.
Despite this Russia has reportedly started mass production of the missile since 2024 and has also provided the system to its close ally Belarus.
Interestingly the level of destruction caused by recent attacks involving the missile remained limited according to Ukrainian officials.
A Ukrainian official told a British news agency that during the January strike Russia used dummy warheads instead of real explosives. As a result only minor damage was caused to a government building made of concrete and soil structures in the western city of Lviv while several craters were formed on the ground.
Security experts believe Russia’s objective was not large scale destruction but rather sending a strong warning message to the West during a sensitive stage of the war. The message was that Russia possesses a high speed missile capable of targeting Ukraine or any European NATO country.
Ukraine’s European allies believe Moscow is using such tactics to intimidate them and discourage further military support for Ukraine. Russia is particularly angered by recent discussions in Britain and France about sending European forces to protect Ukraine in case of a ceasefire and Moscow has warned that such troops would become legitimate targets.
Some political analysts also believe Russia is showcasing the missile to reassert its military influence after several diplomatic setbacks this year including the reported fall of Venezuelan ally Nicolas Maduro’s government and the seizure of a Russian oil vessel by the United States in the North Atlantic.
Experts estimate that Russia’s stock of Oreshnik missiles remains limited therefore Moscow is expected to use them carefully and may avoid further launches if it believes its strategic message has already reached the West.
