https://defensefeeds.com/military-tech/army/ballistic-missiles/oreshnik-missile/
The Oreshnik Missile: Russia’s Next-Generation Hypersonic Weapon
The Oreshnik Missile (Russian: Орешник, meaning “Hazel tree”) is Russia’s latest intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), a technological marvel designed to push the limits of modern military capabilities.
With reported speeds exceeding Mach 10 (12,300 km/h or 7,610 mph), the Oreshnik has quickly garnered international attention for its advanced features, strategic implications, and potential to reshape the global defense landscape.
This missile made headlines following its confirmed operational debut during the Russo-Ukrainian War, solidifying its position as a cornerstone of Russia’s evolving military strategy. Here’s an in-depth look at the Oreshnik’s origins, capabilities, and the impact it may have on modern warfare.…..
Notably, the attack raised questions about the missile’s intended purpose. While some reports suggested that the Oreshnik carried a MIRV payload, others speculated that the strike lacked explosive warheads and served instead as a political demonstration of Russia’s technological capabilities. This ambiguity underscores the missile’s role not just as a weapon but also as a tool of psychological warfare.
Technical Capabilities
Unprecedented Speed
One of the Oreshnik’s most distinguishing features is its hypersonic speed, exceeding Mach 10. This incredible velocity makes it one of the fastest missiles in operation today, capable of reaching its target in minutes. This speed, combined with advanced navigation systems, significantly reduces the reaction time available to opposing forces.
MIRV Payload
The missile’s MIRV payload allows it to deploy multiple warheads, each capable of targeting different locations. This increases its destructive potential and complicates interception efforts. Unlike conventional missiles, the Oreshnik’s warheads can independently adjust their trajectories mid-flight, further enhancing their ability to evade defense systems.
Interception Challenges
The Oreshnik is designed to operate in the upper atmosphere, a region where traditional air defense systems are less effective. Ukrainian military officials have noted that the missile is effectively undetectable by existing radar systems, rendering interception nearly impossible.….
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/17/russia-missile-nato-oreshnik-ukraine-war-conventional-weapons/
The Latest Russian Missile Is Bad News for NATO
Oreshnik is a different beast from its predecessors.
MARCH 17, 2025, 6:00 AM
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Last November, Russia launched a new kind of missile into Ukraine. Moscow debuted the intermediate-range ballistic missile Oreshnik (meaning “hazelnut tree” in Russian) in an attack on Dnipro. Though it used only inert submunitions, it marked yet another attempt by Russian President Vladimir Putin to signal his willingness to escalate.…
Footage of the strike and analysis of satellite imagery suggests that the Oreshnik can likely carry six warheads each armed with six submunitions, for a total of 36. As the missile descends toward Earth, it can disperse these submunitions to blanket a wide area with explosives, similar to how a shotgun sprays shot.…
In a televised interview last December, Putin remarked that with the Oreshnik, Russia was “practically on the edge of having no need to use nuclear weapons.” The Russian leader was exaggerating, but there was a grain of truth to his statement.
A mass Russian strike with conventional Oreshnik missiles on NATO strategic sites—such as air bases, command and control facilities, and missile bases—could leave NATO reeling without Putin using nuclear arms…..
President Trump is well aware Vlad holds all the cards.