Putin again claims start of Oreshnik missile production this year
Russian President Vladimir Putin (kremlin.ru)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has, for the second time this year, announced the start of mass production of the medium-range missile system Oreshnik, according to a report by TASS citing the Russian president.
The president announced the launch of mass production during a meeting with graduates of military academies.
"Mass production of the latest medium-range missile system Oreshnik, which has proven itself well in combat conditions, is now underway," Putin stated.
Putin had already claimed the start of mass production of the Oreshnik system back in November 2024.
What is known about the Oreshnik
On November 21, 2024, Russia used the Oreshnik missile for the first time in a strike on the city of Dnipro. Following that attack, Putin acknowledged the testing of this type of weapon.
Since then, Russian politicians and propagandists have regularly used the missile as a tool to intimidate Ukraine.
Overall, the Oreshnik is a medium-range, ground-to-ground ballistic missile, likely a modification of the RS-26 Rubezh. It can be launched with either a nuclear or non-nuclear warhead.
Details and technical specifications of the missile remain largely unknown. However, the president has claimed it is allegedly capable of hitting targets at speeds of up to Mach 10. Its estimated strike range may reach up to 5,500 kilometers.
