Putin’s latest hypersonic missile has NATO on edge as Russia flexes its growing military might. The “Oreshnik” ballistic missile system, which can travel at a staggering Mach 10, could potentially render Western air defenses useless while delivering devastating conventional strikes throughout Europe.
At a glance:
• Russia recently used its hypersonic Oreshnik missile for the first time against a military facility in Ukraine
• The missile travels at Mach 10-11 and is claimed to be immune to Western missile defense systems
• Oreshnik can carry nuclear or conventional warheads with enough range to reach any European target
• Putin warned the missile could be as devastating as a nuclear strike, capable of destroying underground bunkers
• Russia plans to deploy the Oreshnik system in Belarus by the second half of 2025
Putin’s New Weapon Threatens NATO’s Defenses
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin unveiled a frightening new addition to his military arsenal that has Western military analysts deeply concerned. The Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile system made its combat debut in November with a strike on a military facility in Dnipro, Ukraine, marking the first use of such a weapon in war.
The missile’s capabilities are formidable – at least according to Russia. The weapon can allegedly travel at speeds of Mach 10 with a range between 500 to 5,500 kilometers – enough to reach any target in Europe. With six warheads, each carrying six submunitions, the destructive force is equivalent to tons of explosives and potentially impossible for Western air defense systems to intercept.
Putin made his intentions clear when announcing the weapon, stating, “We believe that we have the right to use our weapons against military facilities of the countries that allow to use their weapons against our facilities.”
Consider this a negotiating tactic at least – and a serious threat to the West at worst!
Military Experts Sound the Alarm
Military analyst Decker Eveleth has issued a stark warning about the implications of Russia’s new missile system for NATO’s operational capabilities.
“The good news is that Oreshnik’s conventional capabilities will give Russia more non-nuclear options, theoretically reducing the risk that the Kremlin will consider using nuclear weapons early in a conflict,” Eveleth noted.
However, he continued with concerning analysis: “The bad news is that Oreshnik’s non-nuclear capabilities mean Russia will have more options to significantly disrupt NATO operations at the conventional level.”
Yikes.
Russia’s Expanding Military Posture
The timing of the Oreshnik deployment comes soon after Russia revised its nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for nuclear weapon use. Putin boasted that the new missile system brings Russia “practically on the edge of having no need to use nuclear weapons,” suggesting a strategic shift in how Russia might approach future conflicts.
Adding to Western concerns, Russia has announced plans to deploy the Oreshnik system in Belarus by the second half of 2025. This forward deployment would significantly reduce response times and further threaten NATO’s eastern flank at a time when Russian Defense Minister has indicated the need for Russia to prepare for potential armed conflict with NATO in Europe within the next decade.
U.S. officials have noted that Russia currently possesses a limited number of these missiles, suggesting they are not expected to be used regularly against Ukraine.
