New superweapon? Russia fires experimental "Oreshnik" missile at Ukraine

Russia - Next escalation in the Ukraine war. For the first time, Russia has fired at targets in Ukraine with the experimental "Oreshnik" missile. Vladimir Putin (72) justifies the launch with the use of Western long-range weapons against his country.

For the first time in history, an intercontinental ballistic missile appears to have been fired in an act of war. (symbolic image)
For the first time in history, an intercontinental ballistic missile appears to have been fired in an act of war. (symbolic image)  © Russian Defence Ministry/AFP

According to what is known, the Russian projectile hit the premises of the Ukrainian state-owned arms company Yuzhmash in the south of the city of Dnipro on Thursday night.

Videos show how at least six projectiles hit in quick succession from an unusually high angle. Information on damage to the Ukrainian missile factory was not published.

The USA had previously allowed Ukraine to use long-range weapons against targets deep inside Russia.

In the meantime, both the Pentagon and the Ukrainian side have confirmed the use of an experimental Russian missile. According to the US Department of Defense, it is said to be a medium-range missile (IRBM) based on the design of the Russian RS-26 "Rubezh" intercontinental ballistic missile.

In fact, however, there are many indications that the new missile, which the Russians called "Oreshnik", was equipped with maneuverable re-entry vehicles (MARV). The missile can apparently attack several targets simultaneously and make course corrections during the final phase of the approach.

Video: Several bullets hit Dnipro

In a speech after the missile attack with the experimental medium-range missile, Vladimir Putin (72) once again threatened with serious consequences.
ContentImage.Description   © Screenshot: Kreml

What influence did "Oreschnik" have on the course of the war?

The experimental medium-range missile is based on the RS-26 "Rubesch" intercontinental ballistic missile shown here. The design never made it into series production.
The experimental medium-range missile is based on the RS-26 "Rubesch" intercontinental ballistic missile shown here. The design never made it into series production.  © Russisches Verteidigungsministerium

According to Russian war bloggers, "Oreschnik" will have a range of up to 5,000 kilometers, carry six maneuverable warheads and be capable of overcoming any missile defence system. The flight speed is said to be between Mach 10 and 15, at around 2 to 3 kilometers per second.

If this information proves to be true, it will be practically impossible for Ukraine to defend against this weapon with its Patriot systems. In addition, "Oreshnik" is likely to have a much higher payload than, for example, Russian Kinshal hypersonic missiles or Iskander medium-range missiles.

However, it is questionable whether "Oreshnik" will actually have an impact on the future course of the war. Mass production is likely to be ruled out in the near future - there are considerable doubts about the operational usability of the experimental missile.

On the contrary, the attack with the experimental missile shows that the Russian president was under considerable pressure to act. He needed a reaction to the crossing of the red lines he had drawn up.