Oreshnik Hypersonic Missile

Recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia has commenced the production of its latest hypersonic missile, the Oreshnik. Additionally, he reaffirmed plans to deploy the missile in Belarus before the end of 2025.

About the Oreshnik Missile

The Oreshnik missile is an intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile, designed to achieve speeds many times greater than the speed of sound, making it an incredibly challenging target for interception.

Key Features of the Oreshnik Missile:

1. Speed: The Oreshnik is capable of reaching speeds of Mach 10 (10 times the speed of sound), enabling it to cover vast distances in a very short time.

2. Mid-Flight Maneuverability: Unlike traditional ballistic missiles, which follow a predictable trajectory, the Oreshnik can maneuver mid-flight, making it much harder to predict and intercept.

3. Multiple Warheads (MIRVs): The missile can carry multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles, allowing it to strike several distinct targets simultaneously. These targets could be hit with either conventional or nuclear warheads.

4. Range: The missile has a reported range of approximately 5,000 kilometers (about 3,100 miles), allowing it to target distant locations with great precision.

5. Mobile, Solid-Fueled: The Oreshnik is a mobile missile system, which means it can be transported and launched from various locations, enhancing its strategic flexibility. It is also solid-fueled, providing quicker launch readiness and mobility.

First Operational Use

• November 21, 2024: The Oreshnik missile was first operationally launched in a precision strike targeting the Pivdenmash defense-industrial facility in Dnipro, Ukraine. This demonstrates its deployment capabilities in real-world conflict scenarios.