Oreshnik misses targets by tens of kilometers: Key missile defect revealed
Illustrative photo: the Russian Oreshnik turned out to be an extremely inaccurate missile (Getty Images)
The supposedly new Russian medium-range ballistic missile Oreshnik reportedly has a critical flaw in its guidance system that causes it to miss its targets, according to findings from an investigation by the analytical company Dallas Analytics.
Why the missile misses its targets
Analysts have published internal correspondence between Russian defense enterprises. According to the documents, the key problem with the Oreshnik is linked to the GU-503 gyroscopic unit — a Soviet-era aviation instrument that was hastily adapted for the new missile.
At hypersonic speeds, even a half-degree deviation in the unit's alignment can cause the missile to miss its target by dozens of kilometers.
In a letter dated March 18, 2025, JSC MZP informed the customer that serial production of the GU-503 had been discontinued. The equipment used to calibrate the device was developed in the early 1970s, and most of it has become inoperable. Since there is no replacement for the aging machinery, factories have been forced to assemble missiles without verifying the accuracy of the gyroscopes.
Pressure from Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet tight deadlines reportedly compelled manufacturers to abandon standard quality-control procedures altogether.
An examination of debris from intercepted missiles revealed 2025 production markings on GU-503 units. According to the analysts, this indicates that Russia has still failed to develop a modern replacement for the Soviet-era device.
Putin is trying to hide the failure
The production collapse forced the Russian authorities to invent excuses for missed targets. In May 2026, the Oreshnik missile reportedly struck a garage cooperative in Bila Tserkva.
After that, Vladimir Putin stated at a press conference that the strike on a civilian object was allegedly intentional — "for easier observation of accuracy."
Experts emphasize that this statement effectively amounts to an admission that the missile is still in the testing phase, despite Putin’s claims that serial production has already begun.
Incidentally, on June 12, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine warned about the threat of Russia potentially using the Oreshnik missile to strike Ukraine.
