Fragments of Oreshnik reveal truth about age of 'new' Russian missile - The Economist
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
Fragments of the Russian Oreshnik missile indicate that it is not as new as claimed. It turns out to be merely an upgraded version of an older model, according to The Economist.
Experts from the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Examinations are studying fragments of the Russian Oreshnik missile, which Russia used against Ukraine for the first time in November.
According to specialists, parts of the missile are dated 2016 and 2017, confirming the assumption that the Oreshnik is an upgraded version of the RS-26 Rubezh medium-range ballistic missile.
The news agency notes that Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed the Oreshnik is a hypersonic weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, emphasizing that Ukrainian air defense systems would not be able to counter it.
However, experts state that the missile's remnants debunk its supposed "novelty."
The report highlights that the Oreshnik is more of a "show of force" aimed at a Western audience rather than a genuine serious threat.
Russian Oreshnik missile
On November 21, the Russian forces launched the Oreshnik missile at the city of Dnipro for the first time since the full-scale war began. At that time, Putin claimed that Russia had conducted tests of this type of weapon.
Furthermore, the Kremlin leader proposed holding a so-called "high-tech duel," urging the West to place air defense systems in Kyiv to attempt to intercept the Russian missile.
Earlier, British intelligence analyzed the "Oreshnik" missile. More details can be found in the RBC-Ukraine material.
